§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will arrange an inquiry into retailers' margins on motor fuel including petrol.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsI am today making a reference to the Price Commission in the following terms
Pursuant to paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 1 to the Counter-Inflation Act 1973, the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection instructs the Price Commission to examine and report on the level and adequacy of margins and discounts accruing to retailers from sales of motor fuel having regard to the fact that maximum retail prices are statutorily prescribed.In addition, I am discussing with the Director General of Fair Trading the possibility of referring certain aspects of the oil companies' operations to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.