§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation was carried out with veterinary surgeons on the effects of the Competition Commission's inquiry into veterinary prescription only medicines. [121858]
§ Mr. SutcliffeDuring the course of its inquiry, the Commission received submissions from veterinary surgeons and veterinary organisations such as the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association. A full list of those who gave evidence, and details of their evidence, can be found in pages 273 to 537 of Volume I of the report.
On 17 September 2002, the Commission published a statement of provisional conclusions and hypothetical remedies. Interested parties were invited to comment on these.
At the request of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry the Office of Fair Trading has written to veterinary organisations to consult informally on the appropriate terms of the order to implement the Commission's proposed remedies under the Fair Trading Act 1973. This will be followed by a public consultation where veterinary organisations, veterinary surgeons and any other interested parties can make their views known on the terms of such an order.