§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Office of Fair Trading regarding the Restrictive Practices Court inquiry into the televising of Premiership football being held in January 1999. [57112]
§ Dr. HowellsNone. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has no role in the process of referral to the Restrictive Practices Court of agreements containing significant restrictions on competition. That is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading. Nor does the Secretary of State have any role in decisions taken by the Court.