§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will inquire into the operation of price rings in ready-mixed concrete against local authorities throughout the country, following the disclosure of this practice in the Greater Manchester area by firms from other parts of Great Britain.
§ Mr. John FraserThis is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading. However, I understand that, following extensive inquiries throughout the country, the Director General has placed 101 restrictive agreements concerning the supply of ready-mixed concrete on the public register of restrictive trading agreements and that he has now started proceedings in the Restrictive Practices Court against the parties concerned in these agreements.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will require firms involved in the ready-mixed concrete price rings to return to local authorities excess profits made through overcharging by such means.
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§ Mr. John FraserI have no powers to do so. However, the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 provides grounds for persons affected by the operation of an unregistered restrictive agreement to institute civil proceedings for damages against the parties to it.