§ Mr. John Biffenasked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the 146 notifications of price increases still under 31W consideration on 15th December had been notified more than three months previously, and two months previously, respectively; and what proposals he has to facilitate the consideration of notifications.
§ Mr. Darling23 and 22 respectively. All notifications are dealt with as speedily as possible, but delays sometimes occur because firms are slow in providing the necessary information, and the handling of some notifications had to be suspended until the White Paper on Prices and Incomes Policy during the period of severe restraint (Cmnd. 3150) had been published.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will detail the 15 notifications of price increases to date which were not considered acceptable within the White Paper criteria; what action was taken by his department; and with what result.
§ Mr. DarlingNo. Information received under the notification arrangements is confidential. We have taken such action as was called for in the circumstances of each case and this has contributed to the high degree of co-operation which industry generally has shown to the Government's policy.