§ 10. Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to provide for exemption from the operation of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956, of agreements between manufacturers which have as their object the rationalisation of industry with a view to increasing the efficiency of production or the saving of imports.
§ Mr. DarlingNo, Sir. There is no a priori reason why rationalisation proposals designed to improve the competitive efficiency of industry need involve restrictive agreements.
§ Mr. JenkinDoes not the hon. Gentleman realise that even discussions towards these ends can be registerable agreements within the meaning of the Act? Does not this pose an appalling dilemma for industries which genuinely desire to comply with the law when they are encouraged by the National Plan to embark on these negotiations? The hon. Gentleman cannot shuffle off the problem by an Answer of that kind.
§ Mr. DarlingWhen I saw the Question on the Order Paper I thought that the hon. Gentleman was changing the views which he expressed during the passage of the Monopolies and Mergers Act. The industrial economic development 1512 councils are discussing this question, among many others, and when representations are made we shall look at them.