§ 38. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that agreements which would otherwise have been registrable under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act are being amended to avoid the necessity for registration; and what legislation he intends to introduce to deal with this matter.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. F. J. Erroll)One of the purposes of the Act would be defeated if agreements modified so as properly to bring them outside the scope of Part I of the Act were now to be made subject to registration by new legislation.
§ Mr. FletcherWould the Minister agree that there is a good deal of confusion about this matter? Will he confirm that, if agreement is varied after the date on which it becomes registrable, the original agreement, together with the Amendment, does not have to be registered?
§ Mr. ErrollI would have to look into that point and let the hon. Member know.
§ Mr. JayIs the Minister satisfied generally with the working of this Act when, eighteen months after its passing into law, no case has yet come before the Restrictive Practices Court, and when undoubtedly these agreements are being altered so as to have the same practical effect but not be subject to registration?
§ Mr. ErrollIf we are to bring a case to the Court concerning a major industry, time must be spent in preparing that case properly.