§ 51. Mr. Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice he has given to the Inspectorate of Weights and Measures about monitoring suspected price increases.
§ Sir G. HoweNone. The rôle of weights and measures inspectors must be considered in the light of the statutory duties that are imposed upon them.
§ 52. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give the latest details of the number of complaints received by his Department regarding price increases since the imposition of the Government's freeze; how many of these complaints have been justified; and what action has been or is intended to be taken in each case.
§ Sir G. Howe4,660 complaints had been received by the end of last week. A large number of these appear on inquiry not to involve even aprima facie case of a breach of the standstill. We have, how-even, been investigating 734 cases, some of which cover more than one complaint. Only a small number appear to involve infringement of the standstill. Appropriate action has and will be taken as necessary.
§ 72. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give details of the 30 retailers or companies who are refusing to suspend price increases introduced after the start of the freeze on 6th November, and state what plans he has for prosecution.
§ Sir G. HoweNo. My right hon. Friend has power to issue notices requiring the application of the standstill if these are called for.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he proposes to call for the voluntary notification of proposed price increases designed to take effect after the lapse of the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act on a basis similar to the call for notification of proposed wage and salary increases.
§ Sir G. HoweProposals for the second stage of counter-inflationary measures 291W will be announced in due course. In the meantime, proposed price increases are subject to the requirements already announced.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will arrange for weekly ministerial broadcasts to be made giving details of the number of complaints received concerning price increases; what action the Government have taken to reduce same; and with what results.
§ Sir G. HoweNo, but I shall continue to keep the House and the public fully informed by all appropriate means about the operation of the prices standstill.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT full details of the number and dates of price increases that have taken place since June 1970 for which Her Majesty's Government accept responsibility.
§ Sir G. HoweNo.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, why he will not publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT full details of the number and dates of price reductions that have taken place since June 1970 for which Her Majesty's Government accept Ministerial responsibility.
§ Sir G. HoweBecause information about price movements is available elsewhere.