asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will introduce legislation to curb the activities of roadside traders.

The Restrictive Practices Commission, who carried out a study in this area at my request, made certain recommendations which were published last November. I have been affording interested parties an opportunity to consider the report and to comment on its proposals. The position is complicated by the fact that relevant legislation is the concern of a number of different Departments but I hope that decisions can shortly be taken on the preparation of legislation to deal with problems in this field.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary accept the recommendations of the report to which he referred and will he implement them in legislation?

The recommendations are not solely a matter for implementation as at present framed by the Department of Industry and Commerce alone and, therefore, it would not be for me to say alone that I accept them. Inter-departmental discussions are proceeding at present on the implementation of these recommendations which are quite detailed and refer both to basic principles and the enforcement thereof.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is a serious problem which seems to be getting worse rather than better? In the circumstances legislation is needed at a very early date.

I would accept that the problem is serious in certain areas.