§ Mr. Beaumont-Darkasked the Secretary of State for Trade what further references he intends to make to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under section 11 of the Competition Act 1980.
§ Mr. BiffenMy right hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, announced to the House on 30 November last that the Government intended to strengthen the role of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in scrutinising the efficiency of nationalised industries and other public sector undertakings. The number of investigations was to be increased, with each year's programme being announced in advance.
The references to be made this year are of :
- National Coal Board.
- The sewerage functions of Anglian and North-West water authorities.
- Caledonian MacBrayne—part of the Scottish Transport Group.
- Yorkshire electricity board.
- South Wales electricity board.
- The Civil Aviation Authority.
I have referred the NCB and the two water authorities today.
136WLike the earlier very useful studies of nationalised industries' efficiency conducted by the commission, the investigation of the National Coal Board will cover mayor aspects of the board's efficiency and costs, including for example internal cost control, purchasing policies and the appraisal and control of investment projects.
The second investigation will be into the efficiency with which sewerage functions are carried out, with the two named water authorities being used for study in depth. It will include the efficiency of the arrangements provided for in the Water Act 1973, under which sewerage is usually carried out on behalf of water althorities through district councils.
The scope of the other inquiries to be launched in 1982 will be announced when the references are made.