§ 3. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will take steps to encourage local authorities to introduce retail price monitoring services; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection (Mr. Robert Maclennan)I want to encourage local authorities to undertake retail price monitoring. I hope to discuss this with the local authority association shortly.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes my hon. Friend accept that the one or two local authorities which have already set up committees or done some work in price monitoring believe that this has a useful marginal effect on prices in their areas? Does he accept that, thanks to the useful generative work carried out by him and by his right hon. Friend and the resulting competition to reduce prices, this is now more necessary than ever?
§ Mr. MaclennanI agree with my hon. Friend. A number of local authorities have given very useful help in this area, and we hope that this may be extended.