§ 53. Mr. Oramasked the President of the Board of Trade which suggestions reviewed by the Board under Section 16 (2) of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948, since the operation of that Act, still appear to be within the purview of the Monopolies Commission but have not yet been referred to the Commission.
§ Mr. MaudlingFollowing is the information
The following suggestions, which still appear to be within the purview of the Monopolies Commission but have not been referred to the Commission, were included by the Board of Trade in the reviews incorporated in its Annual Reports on the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Acts, 1948 and 1953, covering the period 30th July, 1948 (when the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act. 1948, came into force) to 31st December, 1960.Suggestions relating to the alleged prevalence of "monopoly" conditions in the supply or processing of goods:
- aluminium ingots
- aluminium semi-manufactures
- anti-freeze solutions for motor vehicles
- bar fittings
- bicycles
- biscuits
- boot and shoe making machinery
- bottled fuel gas for domestic purposes
- brewing
- carbon rods for primary batteries
- cartridges for sporting guns
- a chemical required by the Atomic Energy Authority
- chemicals (see note 1)
- cigarette lighters
- copper
- diaphragm valves
- electric shavers
- fibre board packing cases
- fish meal and fish manure
- fuel injection equipment for motor vehicles
- furniture (distribution)
- gramophone records
- gypsum plaster
- imported fresh citrus fruits
- margarine
- milk bottles
- milling industry
- mimosa extract for tanning
- molasses
- motor vehicles clutches
- newspapers
- newsprint
- nylon yarn
- petrol, petroleum products (see note 2)
139 - photographic goods and materials, including colour film
- positioned carbonising machinery
- razor blades
- refining of sugar
- salt glazed earthenware pipes (in Northern Ireland)
- sewing cotton and artificial silks
- sewing machines and parts
- sheet, plate and horticultural glass
- soap
- soap powders and detergents
- soda crystals
- sodium bichromate
- steel tubes
- sugar
- telephone equipment
- textile spinning machinery
- testing of chains and anchors
- wallpaper
- weighing machines and scales
- whisky
- woodscrews
- woven wire
- woolcombing machinery
- zinc.
- Suggestions relating to the alleged existence of restrictive arrangements or agreements not registrable under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956:
- Agricultural machinery
- bicycle parts and accessories
- house service electricity meters
- lubricating oil (see note 2)
- monopolies in retail distribution
- motor cars
- sole agency and exclusive arrangements generally
- the supply of beer, wines, spirits, mineral waters etc. to or through tied houses and off licence premises.
- The fact that particular goods are mentioned in the reviews in the Board's Annual Reports does not mean that monopolistic or restrictive conditions, as defined in the 1948 Act, as amended, necessarily prevail or that, if they do, they are against the public interest. These are the questions the Commission have to determine if a reference is made.
NOTES
1. The supply of chemical fertilisers was covered by the Commission's Report published on 16th February, 1960.
2. Certain matters relating to the supply and acquisition within the United Kingdom of petrol, petroleum products, lubricating oil etc. fall within the terms of the reference covering the solus sites system made to the Commission on 27th September, 1960. The terms are given in full in Appendix 2 to the Annual Report by the Board of Trade on the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Acts, 1948, and 1953 for the year ending 31st December, 1960.