§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what complaints have been made to the Office of Fair Trading as a result of operations by the Stagecoach bus company or any of its subsidiaries; what action has been taken in each case; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansThe Director General of Fair Trading has received a number of complaints about the activities of the Stagecoach bus company. As with all such complaints he receives, these have been carefully considered, and further inquiries made and action taken where appropriate.
Complaints against Stagecoach or its subsidiaries have led to further action in the cases listed:
- Competition Act 1980
- Southdown Motor Services Ltd: referred to Monopolies and Mergers Commission, behavioural undertakings given after MMC adverse finding, May 1994.
- Fife Scottish Omnibuses Ltd: behavioural undertakings given May 1994.
- Fair Trading Act 1973—monopoly provisions
- Bus services in the north-east of England: referred to MMC November 1994. It will be for the MMC to determine whether a monopoly situation exists in favour of Stagecoach or other operators, and, if so, whether this has operated against the public interest. The MMC's report is due in May 1995.