§ Dr. Stuttafordasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will have discussions with the manufacturers of college microscopes over increases in prices, to establish to what extent they are consistent with the freeze.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantA large proportion of microscopes purchased by United Kingdom colleges are imported, and as such will have been affected by price increases resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates. My Department is not aware of any increases in United220W Kingdom-manufactured microscope prices inconsistent with the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972; since firms will be operating under the phase 2 provisions as from 29th April 1973, discussions on past cases would in any case serve no useful purpose. Questions concerning price increases during phase 2 should now be addressed to the Price Commission.