§ 1. Mr. Wadeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a general reference to the Monopolies Commission, under Section 15 of the Act of 1948, of exclusivity agreements, sole agency agreements and similar practices.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Sir David Eccles)No, Sir. These practices often serve a good commercial purpose and I see no justification for a general inquiry into them.
§ Mr. WadeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many forms of restrictionism which are not caught by the Restrictive Trade Practices Act? Does he intend to make any general reference to the Commission, or has that procedure been abandoned?
§ Sir D. EcclesI shall soon be considering further references to the Commission. I am ready to consider any evidence any hon. Member brings to me, but at the moment I do not think I shall make a general reference.