§ 32. Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will now announce the outcome of discussions with interested parties on the Price Commission report on prices, costs and margins in the production and distribution of compound feedingstuffs for cattle, pigs and poultry; and what action it is proposed to take to promote greater price competition, as recommended by the report.
§ Mr. MaclennanFollowing discussions with interested parties my right hon. Friend announced his conclusions on 21st August. He indicated that the Director General of Fair Trading would take action against those suppliers shown by the Price Commission to be engaged in price co-ordination; and that the Commission's comments on loyalty discounts would be considered by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in the context of its current study of discounts in general. Other recommendations in the report, particularly in respect of labelling of ingredients, home mixing and independent test results, were all drawn to the attention of the industry, and any further action rests with them in the light of such additional discussion with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as may be necessary.