In 1948 two Board of Trade memoranda outlined the basis for the selection of cases. One stated the principles on which the first four cases should be selected. These were:

• where an independent body had recently recommended an enquiry;

• a case of an international agreement which raised issues of public concern;

• a ‘Co-operative’ case;

• a case of monopoly buying.

The second, in a circular letter to Board of Trade production departments, urged the following criteria as bases for thinking about referral:

• where there were reasons to think that efficiency could be improved;

• where agreements adversely affected prices and the direction and volume of exports;

• where complaints had been received;

• where a decision was needed in other areas of policy, e.g. foreign exchange spending;

• where a recent committee had disclosed restrictive practices;

• where it was suspected that output was being restricted.

However, in its public report the Board of Trade explained that in 1949 items were chosen to get a range of types of restrictive practices and types of industries.