HC Deb 17 December 1964 vol 704 cc542-3
12 and 13. Dr. Bennett

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) when he expects to receive the Report of the Monopolies Commission on the monopolistic practices in the petroleum industry;

(2) if he is aware that the petrol companies are seeking to tie filling stations more firmly to a monopolistic dealing in their products alone, although such practices are at present before the Monopolies Commission; and if he will take steps to meet the intensification of such practices at this time.

Mr. Darling

I understand that the Monopolies Commission hopes to present its report in the early part of next year. I do not know of any general movement by the petrol companies of the kind described by the hon. Member, but I suggest that he should let the Commission have without any delay any information which he has on that matter.

Dr. Bennett

As at least two of the big petrol distributors are tightening their grip on the stations for their own limited range of products, may we hope that action can still be taken, and does not this rather amount to a contempt of the Monopolies Commission?

Mr. Darling

I do not know about contempt of the Monopolies Commission. A reference to the Monopolies Commission does not operate as any sort of stop order. The firms concerned are free to maintain or to change any trading practices which they may have, but, of course, the Monopolies Commission must take note of any changes in trading practices which occur during the course of its inquiries. I understand that it has done this. If the hon. Gentleman has any further information which he thinks that the Monopolies Commission should have, I would remind him that the report is nearly ready.

Mr. Francis Noel-Baker

Can my hon. Friend give us an assurance that the Monopolies Commission will look at the advertising by the petrol companies to see whether it is in the interest of the consumer and the general public and is not a factor in increasing monopolistic tendencies among distributors as well as costing the public money?

Mr. Darling

Without looking it up, I am not sure whether this would appropriately come within the Monopolies Commission's terms of reference in this matter, but I imagine that, if the Commission thought that there was anything in it, it would look at the question and refer to it in its report.

Mr. Shepherd

Is it not a fact that, if the Monopolies Commission decided that this was a regrettable practice, there is no authority to stop it? When is the promised legislation to deal with this situation to be brought in?

Mr. Darling

As soon as possible.