§ Mr. CoxTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met members of the brewing industry which also included publicans to discuss the 1995 review by the European Union of the tied house system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansI have responsibility for competition issues in the brewing industry. Since taking up post in October I have held no such meetings. However, my predecessor last met a group of publicans to discuss issues relating to the tied house system in June this year. The European Commission regulation 1984–83 under which the tie is permitted expires in 1997; the Commission has made it clear that it does not expect to begin its review of the regulation until early 1996.