§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent studies his Department has conducted into the application of his competition policy to the oil industry and in particular petrol pricing; when last he referred this matter to either the Monopolies and Mergers Commission or the Office of Fair Trading; when last either body drew an aspect of this subject to his attention; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FletcherThe supply of petrol was last referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation in 1976 and the report was published in 1979. Since then, in line with the commission's recommendation, the Director General of Fair Trading has been keeping the petrol market under review and Ministers in this Department have been kept informed of developments. The director general has so far concluded that further action would not be justified.