§ Mr. Haleasked the President of the Board of Trade what reports Her Majesty's Government have received to date from the Monopolies Commission; in how many cases recommendations were made involving the necessity for legislation; and in how many cases legislation has been introduced.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftReports have been received from the Commission on the following subjects; the supply of dental goods; the supply of cast-iron rainwater goods; the supply of electric lamps; the supply of insulated electric wires and cables; the supply of insulin; the supply and export of matches and the supply of matchmaking machinery; the supply and export of semi-manufactures of copper and copper-based alloys; the supply of imported timber; the process of calico printing; and the supply of buildings in Greater London. The report on the supply and export of semi-manufactures of copper and copper-based alloys was limited by the Commission's terms of reference to the facts of the matter. I have since asked the Commission to extend their investigation to the bearing of the facts on the public interest.
In one case, the supply of dental goods, an Order was made under Section 10 of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948. In no other case have the Government found it necessary to make an Order or to introduce legislation to give effect to those recommendations of the Commission which they have adopted. It will be appreciated that it is for the Government, and not for the Commission, to decide what action should be taken on any report.
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§ Mr. Haleasked the President of the Board of Trade the industries or sections of industry now being investigated by the Monopolies Commission; and by what dates it is anticipated reports will respectively be available.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftCopper semi-manufactures; electrical machinery; pneumatic tyres; hard fibre cordage; linoleum; sand and gravel in Central Scotland; industrial and medical gases; standard metal windows and doors; rubber footwear. The Commission are also investigating, under Section 15 of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948, the general effect on the public interest of certain widely prevalent discriminatory practices. The Commission hope to complete one report about the end of this year, and most of the others at intervals during 1955.