§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when the Office of Fair Trading's preliminary report into the alleged refusal of companies to supply Aldi stores will be available;
(2) if he will detail the allegations of unfair trading practice which the Office of Fair Trading is considering in respect of Aldi stores;
(3) if he will estimate the time scale for a full investigation into the alleged refusal of companies to supply Aldi stores.
§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 6 July 1990]: Aldi have made representations to the Director General of Fair Trading that various suppliers of goods withheld supplies to them, within the meaning of section 12 of the Resale Prices Act 1976. I understand that the director general is making exploratory inquiries with a view to establishing the circumstances, following which he will decide what action if any he should take. The present inquiries do not constitute a statutory investigation and will not end in a report.