HC Deb 26 February 1957 vol 565 cc1018-20
13. Mr. Lewis

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take the necessary action to amend the Monopolies Act, 1948, so as to enable him to take action to prevent the continuance of the type of restrictive practices described in the Monopolies Commission's Report on the radio valve and electronic tube industry.

19. Mr. Rankin

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further proceedings he proposes to take in relation to the Report of the Monopolies Commission on cathode ray tubes and electronic valves.

Sir D. Eccles

In so far as the type of practices described in the Report are registrable under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956, they are subject to the procedures laid down in that Act. In the case of other types of practice, the Monopolies Act, 1948, already allows the Monopolies Commission to be asked to report on the effect of such practices on the public interest, and action under Section 10 of that Act may follow a Report of this kind. No amendment of the Monopolies Act, 1948, is therefore needed. I see no occasion to take and further action in regard to the Report.

Mr. Lewis

Is the Minister aware that his right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State said that there was the necessity to amend the Act? While we are now pleased to hear that that is not the case, may I ask him whether he proposes to take some definite action to stop this blatant attempt to push up the cost of these tubes, and to help us to reduce the cost of living? Here is one example where the Minister can take action.

Sir D. Eccles

The hon. Gentleman is mistaken. My right hon. and learned Friend did not say that. If there are objectionable practices which are registrable, no doubt someone will see that that is done.

Mr. Rankin

Does not the Minister's answer justify everything which was said on this side of the House during the passage of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act? Is it not now clear that the process of taking any action based upon the Reports which are now coming forward is going to be so slow as to destroy the whole purpose of the Act?

Sir D. Eccles

I think the hon. Gentleman will find that the industries concerned take action themselves.

Mr. Jay

Whatever the Minister of State may have said, are the Government really going to take no action on this Report at all; and if not, will the President tell us why?

Sir D. Eccles

Because it appears that the recommendations have already been attended to.

Miss Lee

Will the Minister please get in touch with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and invoke his services in order to make quite clear to the public the degree of profiteering which is being endured in these respects, and will he further realise that it is his responsibility to protect the public and, therefore, if profiteering continues the only thing to do is to make those services national industries?

Sir D. Eccles

I do not agree that profiteering is continuing here.

Mr. Jay

Will the President tell us which recommendations he mentioned are being attended to?

Sir D. Eccles

That is another question.

17. Mr. Rankin

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is a growing practice by which old cathode ray tubes for television sets are being reconditioned and resold; and whether he will introduce legislation to ensure that adequate guarantees of serviceability are issued in such cases.

Sir D. Eccles

The facts are as stated, but there is no case for legislation. It is for the purchaser of reconditioned tubes to insist upon assurance of their serviceability.

Mr. Rankin

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that the 14-in. tube is being reconditioned and sold at £8? Does this not justify the widespread dissatisfaction concerning the reductions that were introduced for the new tubes last September and prove that the reduction of £2 is still quite insufficient? Will not the Minister look at this matter again and see what he can do to guarantee to these people that the tubes they buy will be serviceable for a stated period of months or years?

Sir D. Eccles

The best thing that these people can do is to deal with a merchant whom they can trust. [Interruption.] That is the only way in which the customer can protect himself.

Mr. Woodburn

Will the Minister consider whether the matter cannot be referred to the British Standards Institution for a specification to be drawn which would give the people a guarantee of first-class quality in tubes? If a mark were adopted which people could trust, they could buy the tube from any dealer provided that it carried the mark.

Sir D. Eccles

I am not sure that any such mark would be of any use in the case of a reconditioned tube, but I will consider it.