107. Mr. Moelwyn Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the light of the Report on the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Act, 1948, he can account for the fact that the Commission under that Act have as yet made no report on any of the references made to them.
Mr. H. WilsonI think the fact is sufficiently accounted for in the Report itself. In their first year, the Commission have had to devote much of their time to developing procedures and methods for a type of inquiry of which there has been no previous experience in this country.
§ 108. Lieut.-Colonel Hydeasked the President of the Board of Trade on what matters he has yet received reports from the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission; and whether it is his intention that these reports should be published.
Mr. H. WilsonI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on 16th March to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, South (Mr. F. Elwyn Jones). The Commission's reports138W will be laid before Parliament subject to the provisions of Section 9 of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948.