§ Mr. Pavittasked the Minister for Trade if, in the light of recent concern about the continued growth of buying power by larger firms, he will make a further reference of this matter to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under section 78 of the Fair Trading Act 1973.
§ Dr. VaughanThe Commission's last investigation took nearly four years; its report "Discounts to Retailers" was published only two years ago. A further investigation of the same kind would not yet be justified, given the Commission's clear conclusion in 1981 that non-costrelated discounts had not in general operated against the public interest. But I continue to monitor developments closely.