HC Deb 01 February 1967 vol 740 cc500-1
38. Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to introduce legislation to amend the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956.

Mr. Jay

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Michael Shaw) on 8th December.—[Vol. 737, c. 1553–4.]

Mr. Jenkin

Has not the position changed since then in that we now have not only the report of the N.E.D.C. calling for a substantial change to be made in the Act but also the report from Mr. Sich, the Registrar? Since amendment to the Restrictive Trades Practices Act has been sought for about three years, should not the Government get on with this and do something about it?

Mr. Jay

We have the Companies Bill to pass before that. We are examining the proposals, but it will not be possible to legislate on those issues this Session.