§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set up an urgent inquiry by the Director General of Fair Trading under section 13 of the Competition Act 1980 into the price of petrol.
§ Mr. HowardThe Government's concern about the oil companies' initial response to the petrol duty change announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget is well known. However, the powers under section 13 of the Act have not previously been used. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will consider whether this or other330W action under competition legislation may be justified in the light of further developments in the petrol retail market and all relevant circumstances.