§ 55. Mr. Biffenasked the President of the Board of Trade why he has referred the charges for hairdressing to the Monopolies Commission rather than the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
§ Mr. JayI am not at present satisfied that there is aprima facie case for referring this service's prices to the National Board for Prices and Incomes. There appear, however, to be practices which may restrict competition and I think the Monopolies Commission could usefully investigate them.
§ Mr. Roebuckasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the outcome of his inquiries into two complaints forwarded to his Department by the hon. Member for Harrow, East, concerning increases in the price of women's hairdressing.
§ Mr. DarlingMy Department are in touch with both of the firms referred to but so far neither has provided all the information which we need in order to assess the justification for price increases. I will inform my hon. Friend by letter of the outcome of our inquiries.