§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the terms of reference, purpose and timetable for reporting on the current Monopolies and Mergers Commission investigation into alleged monopolistic practices in the ice-cream industry.
§ Mr. Neil Hamilton[holding answer 17 May 1993]: On 7 May the Director General of Fair Trading referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the supply in the United Kingdom of ice cream for immediate consumption. The Commission has been asked to report to the President of the Board of Trade, within 10 months, on whether a monopoly situation exists and whether practices in the market operate against the public interest.
121WA copy of the Director General's press release on the reference, which includes a copy of the terms of reference, is available in the House of Commons Library.