§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Romford, Official Report, 31 July 1978, columns 20–2, he will now update the information to include companies which have been investigated by the Price Commission in the last six months.
§ Mr. MaclennanBetween August 1977 and 23 January 1979 the Price Commission initiated 36 investigations under sections 4 and 5 of the Price Commission Act 1977. Thirty-one investigations have now been completed.
The following table shows interim increases permitted under variation notices to enterprises subject to investigation under section 4 since the end of July 1978:
147WIn the following case an undertaking to restrict prices has been given by the enterprise concerned to the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection:
GPBM/Rizla Ltd.—cigarette paper booklets and filter tips. No increase in the price of cigarette paper booklets before 1 January 1979 and of filter tips before 1 January 1980.In the following cases companies have given assurances, recorded in the Price Commission's reports, that certain prices will be held for various periods unless major or unexpected cost increases are incurred:
- Trust Houses Forte Hotels Ltd.
- Lever Brothers Ltd.
- Procter and Gamble Ltd.
- Imperial Tobacco Ltd.
- Air Products Ltd.
- Dollond and Aitchison Ltd.
- Thermos Ltd.