§ Major Wyattasked the Minister of Works whether he will consider instituting a commission of inquiry into the prices and efficiency of the cement industry.
§ Mr. TomlinsonYes, Sir. I have decided to set up an independent Committee of inquiry with the following terms of reference
To review the financial structure of the Cement Industry, and its ancillary industries, including the manufacture of cement sacks; and, in the light of this investigation, to report upon the price structure of the industry, with particular reference to the prices charged to merchants and to the various classes of users of cement.The Chairman of the Committee will be Mr. A. fforde, who is a Solicitor, and the other members are Mr. S. J. Pears, a Chartered Accountant, and Mr. E. de Stein. The Secretary of the Committee is Mr. A. Miller, of the Ministry of Works, to whom all inquiries should be addressed. I may add that I am assured of the cooperation of the industry with this Committee.