HC Deb 23 January 1964 vol 687 cc155-7W
Mr. Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he will reduce the tariff on imported oxygen in view of both the need to reduce prices and the imperfect competition in this country's industry as noted in the Report of the Monopolies Commission on industrial and medical gases of 21st June, 1956;

(2) whether he will reduce the tariff on imported electrical transformers in view of both the need to reduce prices and the imperfect competition in this country's industry as noted in the Report of the Monopolies Commission on electrical machinery and plant of 12th July, 1956;

(3) whether he will reduce the tariff on imported insulated electric wire and cable in view of both the need to reduce prices and the imperfect competition in this country's industry as noted in the Report of the Monopolies Commission of 25th April, 1952;

(4) whether he will reduce the tariff on imported copper tubes in view of both the need to reduce prices and the imperfect competition in this country's industry as rioted in the Report of the Monopolies Commission on semi-manufacture of copper and copper-based alloys of 21st January, 1955;

(5) whether he will reduce the tariff on metal windows and doors in view of both the need to reduce prices and the imperfect competition in this country's industry as noted in the Report of the Monopolies Commission of 27th September, 1956;

(6) whether he will reduce the tariff on superphosphates, nitrogen and compound fertilisers in view of both the need to reduce prices and the imperfect com petition in this country's industry as noted in the Report of the Monopolies Commission of 23rd September, 1959;

(7) whether he will reduce the tariff on electrical equipment for mechanically propelled land vehicles in view of both the need to reduce prices and the imperfect competition in this country's industry as noted in the Report of the Monopolies Commission of 18th December, 1963;

(8) whether he will reduce the tariff on electric lamps in view of both the need to reduce prices and the imperfect competition in this country's industry as noted in the Report of the Monopolies Commission of 31st August, 1951;

(9) whether he will reduce the tariff on pneumatic tyres in view of both the need to reduce prices and the imperfect competition in this country's industry as noted in the Report of the Monopolies Commission of 24th June, 1955;

(10) whether he will reduce the tariff on linoleum in view of both the need to reduce prices and the imperfect competition in this country's industry as noted in the Report of the Monopolies Commission of 13th January, 1956;

(11) whether he will reduce the tariff on electronic valves and cathode ray tubes in view of both the need to reduce prices and the imperfect competition in this country's industry as noted in the Report of the Monopolies Commission of 7th September, 1956.

Mr. du Cann

The conclusions and recommendations of the Monopolies Commission on matters affecting the public interest cover a variety of situations and each case must be considered on its merits so that appropriate action can be taken. My right hon. Friend would not be prepared to reopen cases in which the Government's decisions have already been announced. In cases which are still under consideration and in any future cases the possibility of action through the tariff would not be excluded should this appear to be appropriate in the particular circumstances.

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