§ Mr. RadiceTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations she has received in respect of potential abuses of a dominant position in the United Kingdom newspaper industry; and what action she proposes to take; [23981]
(2) if she will refer the newspaper industry to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in respect of predatory pricing; [23980]
(3) what representations she has received on predatory pricing in the United Kingdom newspaper industry; and if she will make a statement. [23979]
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsThe Department of Trade and Industry has received a number of representations on alleged predatory pricing and abuse of a dominant position in the newspaper industry.
Under the competition legislation, responsibility for considering allegations of anti-competitive practices, abuse of monopoly power and restrictive trade practices lies with the Director General of Fair Trading, who is passed copies of all representations.
The decision on whether to make a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission is also a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading.