§ 26. Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will seek to amend the law so as to impose a duty on the Price Commission to consult representatives of small business men's trade associations before sending out questionnaries to firms.
§ Mr. MaclennanNo. It is already the normal practice of the Price Commission to discuss questionnaires with relevant trade associations.
§ Mrs. KnightIs not the Minister aware that some of the questions asked are highly detrimental to small business men, 968 in that they force them to reveal details which are helpful to their competitors? Is it not highly immoral to bludgeon people—as was recently done to my constituent Mr. Philip Lawrence—with threats of High Court action and huge fines to make these harmful revelations?
§ Mr. MaclennanIt is of paramount importance that in proceeding with these investigations of companies which may or may not have acted in such a way as to raise prices unnecessarily the Price Commission should act on the basis of the fullest possible information. In order to avoid unnecessary burdens being placed upon companies, it is the practice of the Price Commission to discuss fully with the relevant trade associations the contents of the questionnaires and in many cases to discuss them with the firm itself.
§ Mrs. KnightIn view of the highly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.