§ Mr. Robert B. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and industry if he will make a statement on the Director-General of Fair Trading's review of newspaper wholesaling, published on 14 May.
§ Mr. HowardI welcome the publication of this timely review of newspaper wholesaling. Both I and the Director-General of Fair Trading have for some time been concerned about features of the market, in particular the refusal to supply newspapers to certain retailers with its effect on small shopkeepers and new businesses.
The Director-General has made some constructive proposals for further action which will involve discussions with interested parties. I hope that all sectors of the trade will give him their fullest co-operation and that the outcome of this review will help to remedy the grievances which exist at present.