§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the relationship between the prices paid by the customers in supermarkets and the prices paid to beef, sheepmeat and dairy producers; and if he will make a statement. [58818]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesThe issue of prices and competition in the market is a matter for the competition authorities. The Office of Fair Trading is currently conducting an inquiry into the overall profitability of the major supermarkets in the grocery sector. The Welsh Office is continuing to keep abreast of available research on this issue.