§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he is aware that since devaluation thousands of articles have risen in price; and what action he has taken or intends to take to ascertain the reasons for these increases and to prevent unnecessary and inflationary price increases.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 25th January to the hon. Member for Kelvingrove (Dr. Miller).—[Vol. 757, c.159.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he is aware that 5,398 letters of complaint of price increases received by the National Board for Prices and Incomes last year was 50 per cent. more than in 1966, that many of these increases could not be investigated by the Board because of the failure of the Government to request an investigation; and whether he will now request an investigation and take action to see that in future these complaints are investigated.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeAll letters of complaint about price increases addressed to 273W the National Board for Prices and Incomes, other than those relating to a matter on which the Board has already had a reference, are transferred for necessary action to the Government Department with responsibility for the industry or trade concerned. Such complaints are taken fully into account by Departments in considering whether the reference of particular prices or charges is called for.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs in how many of the 5,398 complaints made by the general public of price increases received by the National Board for Prices and Incomes he requested the Board for action in the form of a reference.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeWithout an analysis by subject of the letters in question I am unable to say how many references were subsequently made. The Government's decisions about references to the Board do not rest on the number of letters of complaint but on the Government's appraisal of all the relevant circumstances.