HC Deb 01 June 1998 vol 313 cc114-5W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the actual and percentage reduction in the number of retail petroleum outlets in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of competition in the sector. [43100]

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

[holding answer 21 May 1998]The Director General of Fair Trading has considered the evidence on this as part of his report on 'Competition in the Supply of Petrol in the UK'. I have asked the Director General to respond to the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what studies she has commissioned into the pricing behaviour of petrol retailers on motorways relative to general purpose roads; and if she will make a statement. [43088]

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

[holding answer 21 May 1998]None—since the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for keeping the operation of markets under review. The Office of Fair Trading report 'Competition in the supply of petrol in the UK', published on 18 May, does not address the particular issue of the pricing behaviour of petrol retailers on motorways.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade by what means she will monitor the retail petroleum industry for potential abuse of dominant market position. [43071]

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

[holding answer 21 May 1998]The Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for keeping the operation of markets under review. He has set out proposals for further monitoring of the petrol retailing market in Annex 3.1 of his report on 'Competition in the Supply of Petrol in the UK' published on 18 May. Copies have been placed in the libraries of the House.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will ensure that those types of vertical agreements in the retail petroleum industry which the OFT has determined are not covered by the undertakings given by the oil companies in 1966 are subject to equivalent measures to ensure competition. [43097]

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

[holding answer 21 May 1998]I understand that the Director General of Fair Trading will shortly commence a review of the undertakings given by the oil companies in 1966; he will advise me whether modifications are necessary. The undertakings were last modified in January 1994. In addition, any complaints about vertical agreements not covered by the undertakings should be put to the Director General for his consideration.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she proposes to take in response to the recent OFT report on the retail petrol industry. [43070]

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

[holding answer 21 May 1998]The Director General of Fair Trading has responsibility for keeping under review the operation of the retail petrol market, and powers to act where necessary to promote competition. I am studying his conclusions. The hon. Member should address any comments on the report to the Director General of Fair Trading.

Mr. Kidney

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 11 February 1998,Official Report, column 218, when she expects to receive the report of the Director General of Fair Trading regarding the wholesale and retail petrol market. [42114]

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

I received a copy of the Director General's report on the wholesale and retail petrol market in the UK on 18 May.