HC Deb 13 April 1981 vol 3 cc3-4
3. Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the workings of the Competition Act.

Mr. Biffen

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Is it true that representations are being made about the level of imports of some products from Eastern Europe—certainly electrical products—by manufacturers who themselves are the subject of complaints and referrals to the Director General of Fair Trading for refusal to supply? Is that not an inconsistency? Will the Secretary of State put it to the Director General of Fair Trading that he should publish the names of those companies?

Mr. Biffen

If the hon. Gentleman would like to correspond with me on the point that he has outlined, I shall consider whether it would be appropriate for me to put the matter to the Director General of Fair Trading.

Mr. McCrindle

Is the Secretary of State satisfied with the operation of the Competition Act in regard to petrol at the pump?

Mr. Biffen

As far as I can judge, the succinct reply to that succinct question is "Yes, Sir".

Mr. Gordon Wilson

Is the Secretary of State aware that there is concern that competition in banking services in Scotland may be affected by the proposed takeover of the Royal Bank of Scotland? In those circumstances, will he tell the House when he hopes to refer this matter to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission?.

Mr. Biffen

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the merger to which he refers does not come under any of the provisions of the Competition Act.

Mr. Nelson

Will my right hon. Friend recognise that, since the passage of the Competition Act, there have been several major bids within the banking sector, and that the latest one, to which the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. Wilson) referred, will create the second biggest banking group in this country? Does my right hon. Friend believe that the big banks should get bigger and that the current degree of competition within the joint stock banking system is sufficient?

Mr. Biffen

My hon. Friend makes an important comment about a highly topical matter, but it relates to the fair trading legislation and not to the Competition Act.

Mr. John Fraser

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that, when the Competition Act was going through Parliament, his Minister of State said that there would be about 40 anti-competitive practice investigations a year, but that so far only five have been started? Why is that? Can the right hon. Gentleman point to any single tangible benefit that has arisen from the Government's competition policy over the last two years?

Mr. Biffen

The law has only recently been put into effect. We are seeing the development of a very important body of case experience in this matter. I cite as evidence of that the investigation of the practices of T. I. Raleigh.