§ Mr. Wigginasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, as recommended by the Bolton Committee, his Department has now carried out further study of competition policy as it affects small firms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantIn preparing the Fair Trading Bill, we have considered all the committee's recommendations on this subject and we have consulted many small firms and their representatives. No evidence has been produced to show that small firms are prevented by the restrictive practices legislation from making agreements which would benefit them without harming the consumer or the public interest. We have concluded that the existing provisions are adequate to relieve agreements containing only insignificant restrictions and that no special measures for small firms are required. Our proposals for extending the scope of the legislation on monopolies and mergers and for the appointment of a Director General of Fair Trading will strongly assist the maintenance of the competitive balance in the economy to which the committee attached special importance.