HC Deb 14 April 1954 vol 526 c125W

Whereas it appears to the Board of Trade that conditions to which the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948, applies prevail as respects the supply of each of the following descriptions of goods, that is to say:

  1. (a) rubber wellingtons and ankle boots
  2. (b) footwear with canvas uppers and rubber soles.

Now, therefore, the Board 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 the conditions to which the Act applies, in fact, prevail and, if so, in what manner and to what extent;
  2. (2)the things which are done by the parties concerned 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, "rubber" includes synthetic rubber, balata and gutta-percha.