§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the MMC report into the Supply of Raw Milk to be published; and if he will list all those(a) who have given evidence and (b) who are due to give evidence to the MMC inquiry. [61032]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) is due to deliver its report on the supply of raw milk in Great Britain to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by 26 January 1999. The report will be published as soon as practicable after that date. The Department has an administrative (non-statutory) target to publish monopoly reports within 10 weeks of receipt of the report by the Secretary of State from the MMC.
36WIt is the practice of the MMC to list in the published report those parties which have given evidence in the course of the inquiry. It is for the MMC to decide what factors they will take into consideration in the course of their inquiry, and which parties should be asked to give evidence to the inquiry, within the terms of the reference. However, anyone wishing to make their views known to the MMC should write to:
The Reference Secretary (Milk), Monopolies and Mergers Commission, New Court, Carey Street, London WC2A 2JT.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the terms of reference of the MMC inquiry into the supply of raw milk. [61033]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) asked the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) to investigate the supply of raw milk in Great Britain on 27 January 1998, under the monopoly provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973. The full terms of reference were attached to the DGFT's press notice announcing the referral and I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.
On 14 September 1998, I announced that I had agreed to a request by the MMC for an extension until 26 January of the time allowed for the inquiry. I am arranging for a copy of that press notice to be placed in the Library of the House.