§ 1. Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Attorney-General how many prosecutions requiring his consent under Section 1 (3) of the Auctions (Bidding Agreements) Act, 1927, have taken place since November, 1955; and on how many occasions he has been asked to give his consent to the institution of proceedings in such cases.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir R. Manningham-Buller)The answer to both parts of the Question is "None."
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkDoes not my right hon. and learned Friend agree it is time that the Act was looked at again in view of the continuing widespread activities of rings? Although I recognise the difficulties of evidence, will he look at it again?
§ Sir R. Manningham-BullerI do not know that there is any need to look at the Act again. The difficulty lies, as my hon. Friend suggests, in securing evidence sufficient to justify a prosecution for an infringement of the terms of the Act.