§ Mr. PageTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in implementing the programme of references under section 11 of the Competition Act 1980 announced on 7 September 1987.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeA reference of the Welsh Water Authority was sent to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on that day and the Post Office counter service at Crown offices was referred on 6 November. I am sending a reference of British Coal's capital and investment activities to the Commission today.
The remaining reference in the programme announced on 7 September, London Underground, will be deferred until later this year to enable management to concentrate on the investigation into the King's Cross disaster and any follow-up action needed. Its place in the programme will be filled by a reference relating to British Rail's provincial sector which will be made later in the spring.
I then propose to announce a further programme of references for the remainder of 1988 and early 1989.