HC Deb 28 April 1960 vol 622 cc382-3
23. Mr. Jay

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes to request the Monopolies Commission to inquire whether monopoly conditions exist in the manufacture of bicycles and allied products.

Mr. Maudling

New references to the Commission are still under consideration and no decision has yet been taken.

Mr. Jay

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that the chairman of Tube Investments Limited, which has been mainly responsible for the centralisation of bicycle production, has been invited by the Government to advise on the decentralisation of the railways, and does he think that this is a happy choice?

Mr. Maudling

I do not quite see how that arises out of the Question. The flexibility of private enterprise is, to my mind, one of the assets of this country.

Mr. H. Wilson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this flexibility has been shown by Raleigh Industries bringing out a new model, a super lightweight sports model, which is about to be launched on the market under the title of Blue Streak?

Mr. Maudling rose

Mr. Speaker

Order. There is some point where it is necessary to resume order.