HL Deb 10 April 1962 vol 239 cc359-60

2.40 p.m.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is intended to publish the report of the findings and conclusions of the inquiry held by the Board of Trade into resale price maintenance, and, is so, when.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MILLS)

My Lords, I understand that the inquiry to which the noble Lord refers was carried out by officials of the Board of Trade, and that, in accordance with long-established practice on reports by officials to Ministers, my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade does not intend to publish their report. A statement will, however, be made about the Government's conclusions on this matter as soon as my right honourable friend has completed his study of the results of his Department's inquiry.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, in asking the noble Lord to accept my thanks for his reply, may I also ask him to accept that I have knowledge of the qualifications he has made in it? But would he not agree with me that it would be advantageous if that statement by his right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade were made as soon as possible, as those in the distribution industry who wish to pass on the benefits of their efficiency in distribution to the consuming public are suffering under grave disadvantage through the uneven application of Section 25 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act?

LORD MILLS

My Lords, the Government realise that there is a desire on the part of both supporters and opponents of resale price maintenance for an early statement about the conclusions which they have reached as the result of this inquiry. But it is a complicated matter, and it is not yet possible to say whether the statement can be made at an early date.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, recognising what the noble Lord has said, may I ask whether he could give the House any rough idea when the Government will be in a position to make a statement?

LORD MILLS

My Lords, I think that my reply to the first supplementary indicated that that is not possible at this stage, but I realise the necessity for having a statement made as early as possible.