HC Deb 31 July 1953 vol 518 cc234-5W
Mr. Shepherd

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a statement about further references to the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

A new reference was made to the Commission today. The subject referred is the supply of hard fibre cordage, and the full text is as follows:

HARD FIBRE CORDAGE

Whereas it appears to the Board of Trade that it is or may be the fact that conditions to which the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948, applies prevail as respects the supply of hard fibre cordage: Now, therefore, the Board of Trade in pursuance of Section 2 (1) of the said Act hereby refer to the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission for investigation and report the matter of such supply. The Commission shall as respects such supply investigate and report on—

  1. (1) whether conditions to which the Act applies in fact prevail and if so in what manner and to what extent:
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  2. (2) the things which are done by the parties as a result of or for the purpose of preserving those conditions; and
  3. (3) whether the conditions in question or all or any of the things done as aforesaid operate or may be expected to operate against the public interest.
In this reference "hard fibre cordage" means cordage, cables, ropes and twine made of manilla, sisal or other hard fibre.

In addition, I hope to be able to announce one further reference shortly.