§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will seek to amend the law so as to enable him to give general directions to the Price Commission; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclennanParagraph 18 of Schedule 1 to the Counter-Inflation Act enables the Secretary of State to give134W general directions to the Price Commission on matters of procedure and on the publication of information and advice. A consultative document on the future of prices policy after 31st July was issued on 22nd February, and any representations about the contents of the proposed legislation will be fully considered.
§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will seek to amend the law so as to enable him to require the Price Commission to carry out consultations with representatives of an industry into which it intends to inquire.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe Price Commission is obliged under the Counter-Inflation Act to examine and report on any question relating to prices or charges which is referred to them by the Secretary of State. The consultative document on future prices policy issued on 22nd February includes proposals for new in-investigatory powers for the Price Commission to take effect from 1st August. Any representations about these proposed powers will be fully considered.