§ 33. Mr. Jayasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Register of Restrictive Trade Practices is yet open to inspection by the public.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNo, Sir. I understand that after the close of the first registration period on 28th February, the Registrar will need a little time in which to examine and classify the information which will have been sent to him before he opens the Register.
§ Mr. JayIs the Minister aware that members of the public who have recently called on the Registrar have been told that no single agreement has yet been inscribed on the Register? As it is now six months since the Act was passed, does this not bear out the fears of the Opposition that the whole of this procedure would be much too slow?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNo, Sir. If what the right hon. Gentleman says be the case, I would assume that it is gratifying confirmation that a number of restrictive practices are in the course of being abandoned or revised, thus fulfilling the hopes which we held out to the House.