§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the position under European competition law of the ticket allocation system for the 1998 Football World Cup; and if she will make a statement. [26265]
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsThe investigatory body for European competition cases is the Competition Directorate of the European Commission (DGIV), which has the powers to gather the information necessary to assess a particular case, and to terminate infringements. It is to open parties which claim a legitimate interest in an alleged breach of the rules to make a formal complaint to the Commission. In addition DGIV, on being made aware of an alleged breach, may launch an investigation at its own initiative.