5.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he now has for strengthening the forces of competition and for improving the surveillance of monopolies and mergers.
I hope to make a statement shortly.
Could my right hon. Friend confirm that his proposals will provide for a speeding up of the work of the investigatory bodies in future?
Certainly we are currently investigating how we can speed up the inquiries and the whole impact of the situation into the formulation of better competition.
Could the Secretary of State give an assurance that this statement will be made before Christmas? Since this is supposed to be an important part of Government policy, it seems strange that we have to wait so long for it.
I shall make every endeavour to make that statement before Christmas.