"Bring Labour into Monopolies Act 9 9 A S labour costs
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form the largest single element in any price and are frequently the subject of collective restriction and price-fixing on the part of trade unions, the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Act, 1948, should be amended to apply to all engaged in trade and industry—labour as well as ownership.
This proposal has been put to the Government by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce.
"There is neither equity nor justice, nor indeed common sense in precluding ownership from collective action which may be responsible for unnecessarily high prices, while allowing labour in the same undertaking to pursue the same course, unhampered," the A.B.C.C. state in a memorandum sent to the President of the Board of Trade.
The memorandum outlines suggested machinery for dealing with such matters and proposes a system of "applicant versus objector," with a tribunal as arbiter and the Government's law officers holding " intervening " briefs. The Transport Tribunal is cited as an appropriate type of tribunal both in function and procedure.
This system would be an alternative to unnecessary and undesirable widespread registration of agreements and practices. The fear that such machinery could become an instrument of political influence is indicated by insistence that any tribunal should be a judicial body.
TYRE REPORT NEXT MONTH
THE MonopolyCommission's report on the supply of tyres is expected to be presented to Parliament early next month.
Mr. Peter Thorneyeroft, President of the Board of Trade, who made this announcement last week, said that the tyre manufacturers had asked him to delete certain parts of the report. He would consider whether it was necessary to do so in the national interest.
ROADS: NO CAUSE FOR COMPLACENCY, SAY TORIES
A MOTION urging the Government 1.-k to take further action to improve roads has been tabled in the House of Commons by nine Conservative M.P.s. They are Mr. P. Williams (Sunderland S.), Wg. Cdr. Bullus (Wembley N.), Capt. Pilkington (Poole), Mr. K. Thompson (Walton), Mr. Lindsay (Solihull), Mr. Johnson (Blackley), Mr. Crouch (Dorset N.), Mr. Speir (Hexham) and Mr. LangfordHolt (Shrewsbury).
The motion reads: " That this House, whilst recognizing the importance Of the Government's present road progranute, suggests that there is no cause for complacency and urges the Government to consider what further steps can be taken to bring about a more speedy improvement of road conditions."