Clause 5. — (Agreements to Which Part I Applies.)

Part of Orders of the Day — Restrictive Trade Practices Bill – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 26 April 1956.

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Photo of Mr Peter Thorneycroft Mr Peter Thorneycroft , Monmouth 12:00, 26 April 1956

There is no difference between us in our objectives. What everyone wants to exclude is such a case as when the Federation of British Industries says that, on the whole, it would be a good thing for British industry to hold its prices stable. It would be quite intolerable to include such a case within the provisions of the Clause. We are agreed on the objective, but the question is how to achieve it. I have thought this over and taken a great deal of advice and I am satisfied that these words probably achieve that object as well as anything that we could devise.

We must have the words "particular classes of goods" in order to exclude the F.B.I. recommendation. It is the general exhortation to hold prices steady that we do not want to be registered and examined by the court. What we want to catch is—whether "express or implied"—a recommendation that the price of, say, motor cars, or whatever it may be, should be moved by 10 per cent. It is awkward to give an example and it may be better if I do not choose any.

I propose that we should accept these words, because I believe they carry out the objective. At the same time, I will give further consideration to what the hon. and learned Gentleman has said. If I find, on further examination, that these words do not carry out what is the agreed objective of the Committee, then we will certainly do something about it on the Report stage but, in the meantime.

I urge the Committee to accept the two Amendments.