asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection under what authority junior members of his staff have been contacting estate agents in 1979 seeking information by telephone from junior staff without any establishment of the official's status and without speaking to partners or people in responsible positions; and what is the purpose of these inquiries.

I believe that the hon. Member may be referring to inquiries undertaken by the staff of the Price Commission in pursuit of its current examination of fees and charges made by estate agents. I have accordingly asked the chairman of the Price Commission to write to the hon. Member.