Catalogue description Monopolies Commission: Reports

The Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission was set up under the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act 1948. It was reconstituted on 31 October 1956 as the Monopolies Commission in accordance with a provision of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1956. It was again reconstituted and enlarged under the Monopolies and Mergers Act 1965.

The Commission has the duty of investigating and reporting on the existence, in industries referred to it by the Department of Trade and Industry, of monopoly, restrictive practices affecting exports and other arrangements not registrable under Part 1 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1956, and, where so required by the Department, to report on the effect of such arrangements on the public interest.

Under the 1965 Act this duty is extended to monopoly in the supply of services and to the merger of two or more enterprises, one at least carried on in the United Kingdom or under the control of a body incorporated in the United Kingdom.