§ Mr. Bakerasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take immediate action to refer the monopolistic practices in the fishing industry to the Monopolies Commission; and if he will set a deadline by which action must be taken in this matter to bring to the housewife, the wholesale and retail merchant and the small fisherman the freedom and security denied them by restrictive practices in the industry.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the obstacles which the United Kingdom fish industry have put in the way of the marketing of Icelandic fish. These obstacles were imposed by the fish industry after the introduction in May, 1952, by the Government of Iceland of new fishery regulations. These are the subject of a difference between the Icelandic Government and Her Majesty's Government which we still
414Winto this country; and the total sum received in the last financial year under each heading.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe rates of import duty chargeable on timber (not including manufactures of timber), and the approximate total duty received in the financial year 1952–53 under each heading, are as follows:
hope to resolve. In all the circumstances, I do not consider that this matter is one which could be appropriately referred to the Monopolies Commission.