HC Deb 04 July 1955 vol 543 cc73-4W
Mr. Shepherd

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet able to announce the terms of reference to the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission in respect of steel frames for buildings.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Yes. The reference was made on 30th June. The full text is as follows:

Steel frames for buildings

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 steel frames which cost more than £2,500 each, for buildings:

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.