§ Mr Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints about price increases have been submitted to his Department since the freeze; how many of these price increases have been allowed to stand, and how many have been turned down: and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir G. HoweAbout 12,900. Half of these proved not to relate to the standstill. Of the remainder, investigations have been completed in 6,080 cases, some366W of which covered more than one complaint: 5,540 of these were not substantiated. In 540 cases prices were found to be above the level permitted by the standstill, and in all cases were reduced. No price increases have been approved as a direct result of the investigation of a complaint.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the 177 companies and organisations which have been written to by the Price Commission, indicating that they must submit quarterly reports on costs, prices and profit margins, together with a text of the letter.
§ Sir G. HoweThe Price Commission has not yet written to companies about the submission of quarterly reports. The requirements for the submission of reports on costs, prices and profit margins will be set out in an order to be made under the Counter-Inflation Act 1973 before the end of this month.