§ 36. Mr. R. Edwardsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that recent quotations from six firms for the supply of 500 dustbins to local authorities in the West Midlands were all exactly 33s. 6d. each, an increase of 8s. 6d. on each bin on twelve months previously; and whether he will refer this matter to the Monopolies Commission.
§ Mr. ErrollIf these tenders result from a price agreement, that is a matter for the Registrar of Restrictive Trading Agreements and not for the Monopolies Commission. If the hon. Member will give the Registrar particulars of the tenders, I have no doubt that he will look into the matter to see if any agreement exists which ought to be in the register.
§ Mr. EdwardsI thank the Minister for that reply and I shall be very happy to supply the information. Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is a scandal that a 25 per cent. increase in one year can be charged? Further, would he agree that this increase has nothing to do with the law of supply and demand, but is purely an administrative decision made by a very sinister ring?
§ Mr. ErrollAnyone is free to make dustbins in this country. It is open to anyone else to submit tenders if requested to do so by the local authorities concerned.