HC Deb 01 July 1981 vol 7 cc375-6W
Mr. Nicholas Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he intends to publish the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on roadside advertising services; and whether he will make a statement.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

My right hon. Friend received the report on 8 May. It is being published today. The commission has found scale and complex monopoly situations to exist in favour of British Posters Limited and its 10 member companies, and has concluded that monopoly situations operate and may be expected to operate against the public interest, in that:

  1. (1) they have led to a higher level of prices and to a more consistent approach in pricing strategy among members than would have obtained in a more competitive market; and hence contributed to the very high level of profitability;
  2. (2) the discouragement of the sale of "pool" panels

Mr. Eyre

The comments of the United Kingdom accredited representative who participated in the Spanish investigation have been attached to the report by the Spanish aviation authorities on the crash of the Dan Air Boeing 727 at Tenerife on 25 April 1980 which I have now received. United Kingdom and Spanish authorities have today discussed the comments made by the United Kingdom accredited representative and a date for the synchronous publication of the report. No statement will be made until the report is published.