§ 4. Mr. Freesonasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will refer the pricing of motor car accessories to the National Board for Prices and Incomes for report and recommendation.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. William Rodgers)Not at present. But we are continuing to keep a close watch on the prices of these goods.
§ Mr. FreesonWill my hon. Friend agree to take an even closer look? Is it not time that a long, close study was made of the inflated prices being charged for motor car accessories? Would it not be more important to do this kind of thing than to concentrate so much on wage restraint? Let us get some prices down.
§ Mr. RodgersI have a great deal of sympathy with what my hon. Friend has said, but he is mistaken if he does not appreciate that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology has a special interest here which he will continue to pursue.
§ Mr. HigginsHas this matter not already been investigated by the Monopolies Commission? What is the level of tariff protection at present enjoyed by this industry?
§ Mr. RodgersThe answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is "Yes, it has". I cannot answer the second part of his question without notice.