HC Deb 03 July 1997 vol 297 cc266-7W
Mr. Bill O'Brien

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will discuss with representatives of the electrical goods industry the public response to their recommended retail price regime. [4605]

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

As the MMC report is currently being considered by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade it would not be appropriate to comment.

Mr. O'Brien

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received from the electrical goods industry concerning profitability, profit margins and manufacturing costs of goods supplied by the industry; and if she will make a statement. [4603]

Mr. Griffiths

My Department has received representations on these issues from the electrical goods sector. However since the MMC report is currently being considered by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade it would not be appropriate to comment.

Company Inspectors Accountant inspector's costs (including support staff and VAT) £(000) Legal inspector's costs (including support staff and VAT) £(000) Total costs of inspection to date (including disbursements) £(000)
Guinness plc Mr. D. Donaldson QC 2,469 660 3,137
Mr. I. Watt FCA
Wace UK Holdings Limited Mr. A. Robertshaw — — 15
Tinsley Robor plc Mr. C. Mayhew
European Colour plc (both departmental officers1)
Mirror Group Newspapers plc Sir R. J. L. Thomas 6,718 1,650 8,368
Mr. R. Turner FCA
Chancery plc Mr. R. Chandler ACA 622 — 622
Mr. A. Fausett (departmental officer1)
Queens Moat Houses plc Mr. P. Phillips QC 2,487 907 3,396
Mr. A. Burn FCA
1 Excludes departmental staff costs. A decision on publication cannot be made before inspectors submit their report.