HC Deb 21 July 1997 vol 298 cc446-7W
Mr. Luff

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she proposes to take to safeguard the future of independent retail newsagents; and if she will make a statement. [9909]

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

The Director General of Fair Trading continues to monitor the newspaper market following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission investigation into the supply of national newspapers in England and Wales in 1992–93. I understand that he is currently considering a submission from the National Federation of Retail Newsagents which calls for a further reference of the industry to the MMC.