HC Deb 27 October 1980 vol 991 c15
12. Mr. Forman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what will be the next reference under section 11 of the Competition Act to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

5. Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what will be the next reference under section 11 of the Competition Act to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

We have a number of prospective candidates under review and I hope to make an announcement very shortly. Meanwhile, I intend to extend the terms of reference of the Severn-Trent Water Board reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to include the question of scope for more extensive optional metering.

Mr. Forman

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that announcement will be welcomed by those concerned with those matters? Will she note that section 11 references are a useful reinforcement of the Government's competition policy?

Mrs. Oppenheim

I agree with my hon. Friend. There is no shortage of candidates for the investigations, which have proved to be extremely popular and effective. It is simply a question of choosing between competing priorities and demands.