§ 2. Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many reports have been made to the Government by the National Board for Prices and Incomes; in how many cases such reports recommended a reduction in prices; and how many of such recommendations for reduced prices have been put into effect.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (Mr. Roy Hattersley)Eighty-five, of which about half dealt with prices. Two reports recommended price reductions both of which were put into effect.
§ Mr. BlakerIn the light of these figures, is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the Board has a useful rôle to play with this work? Do not recent developments in connection with resale price maintenance show that competition is a more effective method?
§ Mr. HattersleyI certainly do not minimise the importance and value of competition, nor of extending the application of competition. But I am equally sure that the Board has not only an important but a crucial rôle to play, as its 40-odd reports on prices and two recent price reductions which have come from those reports demonstrate.