54. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that one of the results of the abolition of accepted business practices under the procedure of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act has been a growth of amalgamation and monopoly in the industries affected, he will consider introducing legislation to amend the Restrictive Trade Practices Act to enable the Restrictive Practices Court to take this more effectively into account in deciding whether or not any particular practice is or is not in the public interest.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonThe assumption underlying my hon. Friend's suggestion, as I understand it, is that the maintenance of a restrictive practice is preferable to a merger. My right hon. Friend does not accept this. In addition, I see serious difficulties of practice and principle in my hon. Friend's proposal.