§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection (1) what steps he proposes to take, and when, to promote greater price competition, as recommended in the Price Commission report on prices, costs and margins in the production and distribution of compound feedingstuffs for cattle, pigs and poultry;
(2) what discussions have been held with BOCM Silcock, and with what outcome, on comments that its system of loyalty discounts has reduced competition because it is the price leader, made in the Price Commission report on prices, costs and margins in the production and distribution of compound feedingstuffs for cattle, pigs and poultry;
594W(3) whether he will publish in the Official Report those observations and recommendations made in the Price Commission report on prices, costs and margins in the production and distribution of compound feedingstuffs for cattle, pigs and poultry on which BOCM Silcock, as price leader, has taken, or proposes to take, action within a stated time;
(4) what action he proposes to take on the observation in the Price Commission report on prices, costs and margins in the production and distribution of compound feedingstuffs for cattle, pigs and poultry, that six out of the seven firms which account for more than half of the market co-ordinated their price increases in 1976–77;
(5) what discussions have been held, and what has been the outcome, with BOCM Silcock, as the price leader, concerning its high level of profitability, following publication of the Price Commission report on prices, costs and margins in the production and distribution of compound feedingstuffs for cattle, pigs and poultry.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe report is still being discussed with interested parties. My right hon. Friend will make a statement when these discussions have been completed.