§ 23. Mr. Grimondasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer the milling industry to the Monopolies Commission.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. F. J. Erroll)Flour was included in the first direction given to the Registrar of Restrictive Trading Agreements as to cases to be taken before the Restrictive Practices Court. My right hon. Friend would not consider referring other aspects of this industry to the Monopolies Commission until this case has been dealt with by the court.
§ Mr. GrimondWhen is this case likely to be dealt with? In the meantime, there is some anxiety because, in spite of the fall in the price of primary products, including wheat, it does not appear to ordinary people, rightly or wrongly, that the price of bread has fallen commensurately.
§ Mr. ErrollI cannot give an exact date when the case is likely to go before the Court, but the registrar has made a public announcement to the effect that he does not expect to be able to take any case to the Court before October of this year.