27. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints concerning price increases were received by his Department in the period 6th November 1972 to 31st March 1973; how many investigations were carried out; in how many cases price increases were approved; and in how many cases reductions were made.
3W
§ Sir G. HoweMy Department received about 12,300 complaints in this period. Half of these proved not to relate to the standstill. Of the remainder, investigations were completed during the period in over 5,700 cases. Of these, 5,225 were not substantiated. In 488 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.