Film Distribution Industry (Hansard, 27 April 1993)

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received about unfair trading practices in the film distribution industry; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
[holding answer 23 April 1993]: My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has received two representations about the film distribution industry. The Office of Fair Trading, however, which is responsible for investigating alleged anti-competitive practices, has received a number of representations from small independent cinemas and is currently making inquiries into the supply of films for exhibition in cinemas.

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the Director General of Fair Trading the points raised with him in correspondence by the hon. Member for Macclesfield relating to unfair trading practices in the film distribution industry; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
[holding answer 23 April 1993]: The points raised by my hon. Friend in his correspondence have been referred to the Director General of Fair Trading, who is currently investigating the supply of films for exhibition in cinemas. It would be inappropriate to make a statement until the DGFT has concluded his inquiries.

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his policy on the encouragement of fair trading practices within the film distribution industry; and if he will list those regulations, in the United Kingdom and in Europe, which are designed to bring about such fair trading practices.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
[holding answer 23 April 1993]: Under United Kingdom legislation, investigation of allegedly anti-competitive or monopolistic behaviour is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading. The DGFT may consider this behaviour under either the Fair Trading Act 1973 or the Competition Act 1980. Anti-competitive practices which affect trade between member states are handled by the European Commission under articles 85 and 86 of the treaty of Rome.