76. Dr. Bennettasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many representations he received about the laundry and dry cleaning industries before he referred them to the National Board for Prices and Incomes; how many of those referred to each industry; what is the cost of this inquiry to date; and what he estimates the total cost will be.
§ Mr. AlbuAbout 40 in all. Twenty-two of these referred to increases in laundry charges, and two to increases in dry cleaning charges. The balance referred to increases in laundry or dry 429W cleaning charges along with other price increases. As the text of the reference makes clear, the number of complaints was not the sole consideration in making the reference.
I could not without disproportionate cost provide the further information for which the hon. Member asks.