§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will give a list of formal undertakings given to him by manufacturers and others to hold their prices stable for an agreed period of time under the provisions of the Price Commission Act 1977, giving in each case the name of the manufacturer, details of the products involved and the proposed price increases forgone together with the date upon which the undertaking terminates.
§ Mr. MaclennanI give below details of formal undertakings so far given to my right hon. Friend following recommendations by the Price Commission in reports made under the provisions of the Price Commission Act 1977.
Company Product(s) Undertaking Fisons Ltd. Garden products The company will not before 7th September 1978 increase its price for any of the garden products covered by the Commission's recommendation, so that the price, including the increase, exceeds by more than 20 per cent. the price for that product at 7th September 1977. (Proposed increases on some products were up to 43 per cent.) ICI Ltd. Soda ash The company will not before 1st July 1978 give notice to the Price Commission of a further increase in the price of soda ash. Southalls (Birmingham) Ltd. Tampons The company will not before 23rd December 1978 increase the price of "Lil-lets" tampons so that the price, including any increase made or to be made, exceeds by more than 3.17 per cent. the company's price for that product at 23rd December 1977. IPC Magazine Ltd. Magazine cover prices. The company will not before 31st July 1978 implement any increase in its cover prices of the magazines covered by the Commission's recommendation. (Increase of 2.9 per cent. proposed.) The Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd. Cement The company will not before 18th January 1979 charge a basing-point price for ordinary Portland cement, rapid hardening Portland cement or coarse ground Portland cement which exceeds the amount of the price on 1st June 1978. (Thus the company is able to implement a price increase of 7.09 per cent. as against its proposal for an increase of 10 per cent.)