§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, what action, if any, has been taken, following on the report of the Committee on Trusts, appointed by the Ministry of Reconstruction in February, 1918, and received on the 25th April, 1919.]
§ LORD TEMPLEMOREMy Lords, the action taken on the recommendations of the Committee was the passing of the Profiteering Act in 1919. This Act was mainly concerned with the prevention of 522 profiteering during a period of inflation; it also charged the Board of Trade with the duty of obtaining information about the nature, extent and development of trusts and similar combinations. A number of reports were published. The Act lapsed in 1921.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord, but can he make it clear whether the Board of Trade still has this duty of obtaining information, or did the duty lapse with the Act in 1921.
§ LORD TEMPLEMOREMy Lords, I am not quite certain on that point, but I understand that the duty has lapsed with the Act.