§ 47. Mr. du Cannasked the Attorney-General when the Restrictive Practices Court will come into operation.
The Attorney-General (Sir Reginald Manninghaim-Buller)Proceedings have been commenced in eight cases by the issue of notices of reference, but I am not yet in a position to say when the first sittings of the court will be held.
§ Mr. du CannHaving regard to the very great volume of work which is awaiting these courts, would my right hon. and learned Friend not agree that the sooner they can go into operation the better, so that the Act may come into full 897 operation and uncertainty be removed from the minds of people who are active in commerce and in trade?
§ The Attorney-GeneralConsiderable progress is being made. As I say, the first notices have been issued. The next stage is to obtain the representation orders. Five such orders have been obtained and negotiations in respect of two others are proceeding. One of them involves an organisation with 8,000 members, and negotiations as to that are bound to take a little time.