§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he considers the tied-house system to be inconsistent with the requirements of fair trading practices underwritten by Her Majesty's Government in the Treaty of Rome; and what action he will take to implement the European Economic Commission regulations to limit the ability of brewers to restrict consumer choice in the brewing industry.
§ Mr. RidleyThe relevant provisions of the Treaty of Rome competition rules are administered by the European Commission, and it would not be right for me to express any view on the likely consistency with those rules of any practice of British firms. The general inquiry by the European Commission into competition in the brewing industry in the existing member States is still in progress. It will be for the Commission to decide how far and in what way to extend its inquiry to new member States.
§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the trend in the brewing industry with regard to the tied-house system, whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to allow unfettered control by brewers without reference to the Monopolies Commission.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Monopolies Commission recommended in 1969 that the defects which it had found in the tied-house system should be remedied by a substantial relaxation of the licensing system. The Erroll Committee is now examining this question; I see no reason for a further reference to the commission at present.