§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will take steps to arrange for an investigation by either the Director General of Fair Trading or the Monopolies and Mergers Commission into the continuing price rises of torch and transistor batteries to ascertain whether or not the increases are fair and reasonable.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimNo. My right hon. Friend can require the Director General to carry out an investigation under section 13 of the Competition Act only if he is satisfied that the particular price in question is one of major public concern. He is not so satisfied in this case.