HC Deb 26 July 1971 vol 822 cc26-7
34. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware that wholesale newsagents are preventing the distribution of some journals to retail newsagents; and if he will introduce legislation to prevent this restrictive action.

Sir J. Eden

If the hon. Member has any evidence that wholesale newsagents have agreed to such practices perhaps he would send it to me.

Mr. Allaun

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that newspaper closures are threatening the freedom of the Press? Is he aware that, by refusing to handle Private Eye, W. H. Smith, which occupies a dominant position, is restricting further the access of the public to exposures of financial and political corruption? If W. H. Smith argues that distributors are frightened of being made liable to libel actions, will he suggest to his right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General that this matter be included in the discussions now taking place on the possibility of amending the libel law?

Sir J. Eden

Refusal to supply by an individual firm without any agreement with other suppliers is not registrable Under the law, a supplier is free to decide with whom and on what terms he does business. The Government have no general power to intervene.

Mr. Crouch

Is my hon. Friend aware that there have been many cases in which wholesale newsagents have attempted to restrict the number of retail newsagents in different towns and that, before he became a Minister, I supplied his Department with evidence of such a case?

Sir J. Eden

I will take up my hon. Friend's point about details of specific cases with which he has provided my Department. If there is a suggestion that some wholesale newsagents may be imposing a kind of censorship, then, of course, the subject is one for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

If wholesale newsagents, who have a near monopoly, are preventing the distribution of magazines which may have a minority taste but which still ought to be read in a country which prides itself on freedom of speech, and are using the law of defamation as an excuse, does not the Minister think that this is a matter which ought to be referred to the committee now examining the law of defamation? Will he also bear in mind that it is not only Private Eye which occasionally commits defamation but also some other most respectable newspapers?

Sir J. Eden

I must keep to the question of restrictive trade practices. This matter, as was announced by my right hon. Friend on 17th December, 1970, is the subject of a review. The case for extending the legislation to certain anticompetitive practices by single firms will certainly be considered.

Mr. Benn

In view of the difficulty experienced by hon. Members in getting Private Eye, will the hon. Gentleman consider circulating it with the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Sir J. Eden

I suggest that the right hon. Gentleman asks his hon. Friend the Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Michael Foot) for a complimentary copy.