§ 29. Mr. Oramasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to restore to the Monopolies Commission the number of members and the power to work in separate groups of members, which it had before the passing of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956.
§ Mr. ErrollNo, Sir.
§ Mr. OramIs there not a very long list of subjects which have been suggested for investigation by the Monopolies Commission? In relation to the 733 task that lies ahead, is not progress very slow? If the Government refuse to take the action suggested in the Question, what action do they propose to take in order to catch up with the work still requiring to be done?
§ Mr. ErrollI think that the work is proceeding satisfactorily. Further possible candidates for selection are kept under constant review.
§ Mr. RankinDoes the right hon. Gentleman recollect that I was told a few weeks ago that by the time the report on the tobacco industry—which is now proceeding—was finished, four years would have elapsed? Does he consider that to be a satisfactory state of affairs? Will he not once again think over the suggestion put forward by my hon. Friend?
§ Mr. ErrollThat suggestion would not speed up the time it takes to investigate a particular industry. This is a long and complicated inquiry, and it takes a very long time for the whole matter to be investigated properly.