§ 9. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether she has yet received the report of the Price Commission on petrol retailers' margins; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclennanWe do not expect to receive the report of the Price Commission until the early part of next year.
§ Mr. HuckfieldWith regard to certain Press reports yesterday, is my hon. Friend aware that even at present price and profit margins some garages are doing 1101 very well—in fact, so well that they can afford to give away Green Shield stamps, glasses and goodness knows what? Will he accept that what is wrong is that 70 per cent. of retail sales outlets are owned by the major oil companies? Does he not think it is time that another look was taken at the undertaking which they gave the Monopolies Commission in 1965 that they would not acquire any more?
§ Mr. MaclennanI could not accept what my hon. Friend has said in the first part of his supplementary question without having the full report of the Price Commission with me. It may be that in part it will substantiate what he has said. But I must maintain an open mind on that matter. We are considering the point which my hon. Friend has raised in the second part of his supplementary question.