§ 27. Mr. Oramasked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects his Department to conclude its review of monopolies and restrictive practices policy.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonAs my right hon. Friend told the House on 14th February, he doubts whether the review of this complex subject will be completed before the end of the year.
§ Mr. OramHas not our recent experience of mergers and proposed mergers shown the complete weakness of the existing machinery as well as a lack of resolution on the part of the Government in dealing with these matters? Is it not important that there should be legislation introduced during the next Session? Will the report be speeded up with a view to preparing that legislation?
§ Mr. MacphersonWork on the review is being speeded up, but I cannot hold out any hope, in view of the complex nature of the subject, that it will be completed before the end of the year.
§ Mr. JayCan the hon. Gentleman at least assure the House that the Board 1520 of Trade's review of this matter will take a shorter time than its review of weights and measures?
§ Mr. MacphersonThe review of weights and measures was completed some time ago. We hope that this matter will be completed in the course of this year.
§ Mr. WalkerWill the Board of Trade review the difference between legislation here in regard to monopolies and restrictive practices and such legislation in the Common Market, and publish the result of its review?
§ Mr. MacphersonWe shall certainly take account of circumstances in the Common Market and the regulations already made there.
§ Mr. JayDoes the Minister's answer to me mean that, even when the review is completed, no action will follow?
§ Mr. MacphersonCertainly not.