Monopolies and Mergers Commission

HC Deb 19 November 1979 vol 974 c25

25. Mr. Waldegrave

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

My right. hon. Friend meets the chairman of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission as frequently as necessary. He has no meeting arranged at present.

Mr. Waldegrave

Does my right hon. Friend agree that a subject which may come up for discussion when next she meets the chairman is the problem of monopoly buyers—I believe that the correct word is "monopsonists"—and will she encourage him to launch an investigation into one in order to discourage the others?

Mrs. Oppenheim

This is an interesting matter and, I believe, is the subject of an amendment which is likely before long to be before the Standing Committee considering the Competition Bill. It is of special interest in relation to public sector buyers, so obviously it is a matter to which the Government will be giving due consideration.