§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will refer the matter of supermarket price-fixing agreements to the Director General of Fair Trading;
(2) what evidence he has of the operation of price-fixing agreements by supermarket stores; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudeThe Office of Fair Trading is aware of allegations of possible collusion in the level and timing of price increases for goods sold in supermarket stores. The office is currently investigating these allegations to ascertain whether action may be justified under the provisions of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976.