§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) evidence she has collated and (b) representations she has received regarding cartels in petrol prices, with particular reference to West Wales. [177601]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 8 June 2004]I have received no such evidence or representations. Under the Competition Act 1998 the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is responsible for anti-cartel enforcement. Where the OFT has reasonable grounds to suspect a cartel in a particular sector of the economy, it will investigate the matter. Evidence of anti-competitive behaviour should therefore be passed to the OFT. The OFT's powers of investigation were strengthened by the Enterprise Act 2002, which also introduced a criminal penalty for cartel activity.