§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations she has received from retail newsagents on difficulties being faced due to unregulated competition; [10635]
(2) what proposals she has for regulation of the newspaper retail supply trade; [10636]
(3) what plans he has to introduce amendments to the Restrictive Trade Practices Acts in respect of retail newsagents. [10637]
§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 30 July 1997]: My right hon. Friend and I have received a number of representations from retail newsagents on the state of the newspaper distribution industry. I met Roger Clarke of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents on 22 July.
The Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for considering allegations of anti-competitive behaviour, abuse of monopoly power and restrictive trade practices. He is considering the most recent submission from the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, the main representative body for independent newsagents, arguing for the newspaper distribution industry to be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
The Government have no plans to regulate the newspaper retail supply trade, or to amend the Restrictive Trade Practices Acts specifically in respect of retail newsagents. Nor do we expect our proposals for the forthcoming Competition Bill to contain measures specifically in respect of retail newsagents.
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Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if her forthcoming competition legislation will include measures to address the competitive position of independent newsagents. [11311]
§ Mr. Griffiths[holding answer 30 July 1997]: The competition Bill will introduce a prohibition of anti-competitive agreements and a prohibition of abuse of a dominant market position. These are measures to improve the effectiveness of competition law across the economy as a whole, rather than being targeted on individual sectors.
Mr. TaylorTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the situation facing independent newsagents. [11310]
§ Mr. Griffiths[holding answer 30 July 1997]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 21 July 1997, Official Report, columns 446–47.