HC Deb 08 February 1971 vol 811 c18
25. Mr. Sheldon

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on further Government action to increase competition in industry.

Mr. John Davies

I shall be developing over the coming months the policy I outlined in the statement which I made to the House on 17th December.—[Vol. 808, c. 1577–86.]

Mr. Sheldon

Is not the Minister aware that this policy is clearly becoming not credible any longer, at a time when the Government are taking no action to end the cartel of the banking system, in the matter of interest on deposit accounts, and when they are taking Rolls-Royce into public ownership? Is not the Minister aware that the British public are utterly confused as to what the Government's enonomic policy is all about?

Mr. Davies

I am far from aware of that fact. The Government's policy of seeking to intensify competition is warmly shared by the people of this country.

Mr. Dell

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects to receive the first proposal from the Monopolies Commission about the reference of a monopoly? Can he also say when he intends to make his first reference of a monopoly situation to the Commission?

Mr. Davies

I hope to make a reference to the Monopolies Commission very shortly.