§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection why it took him until 13th March to reply to the communication sent to him on 1st March by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West giving details of an overcharging of more than 100 per cent. for transistor batteries; why in this reply he re-paraphrased the letter sent to him by the hon. Member but took no positive action other than to suggest that the hon. Member should raise the matter with the Price Commission; and whether in future he will reply earlier to communications and himself take action to deal with profiteering rather than refer such cases back to hon. Members.
§ Mr. MaclennanMy right hon. Friend deals with all letters from hon. Members as quickly as possible. As my letter of 13th March to the hon. Member explained, the Price Commission cannot pursue a complaint unless it knows against whom the complaint has been made.