asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he has received the report prepared by the Office of Fair Trading in respect of professional fees charged by architects; what changes are recommended; whether he proposes to introduce any alterations to existing practices and, if so, when; and if he will make a statement.

Following the publication in November last year of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of architectural services with reference to scale fees, the Director General of Fair Trading has been holding discussions, at my right hon. Friend's request, with the architects' professional bodies about the action that should be taken and the amendments that might be necessary to their rules, in the light of the Commission's recommendations. My right hon. Friend and I have received the Director General's advice on the outcome of these discussions. I expect shortly to meet the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects to hear the views of the profession and I shall make a statement in due course.