HC Deb 10 April 1967 vol 744 cc139-40W
Mr. Whitaker

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many price increases since July, 1966, have been unjustified according to the Government's criteria; and in how many cases he has restrained a price increase by a control order.

Mr. Frederick Lee

It is clear from the general movement of prices and charges since July, 1966, that there has been widespread observance of the criteria for increases set out in Cmnd. 3073 and Cmnd. 3150. As was explained in these White Papers, the requirement of advance notification does not apply to all proposed price increases; it is not possible, therefore, to say how many increases may have occurred which could not have been fully justified against these criteria. Of the proposals required to be notified by the manufacturers concerned, about 200 were not considered justified as first presented. One Order, under Section 26 of the Prices and Incomes Act, has been made in respect of laundry and dry cleaning charges.