§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans he has to ensure competition and choice for consumers purchasing electrical appliances; [66572]
(2) if he will make a statement on the findings of his Department' s survey on the prices of washing machines in retail outlets; [66571]
(3) what further steps he is taking to introduce competition in the market for white goods. [66570]
§ Dr. HowellsUnder UK competition legislation, the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for keeping the operation of markets under review and considering allegations of anti-competitive behaviour, abuse of monopoly power or restrictive trade practices.
As part of his responsibilities, the Director General is keeping under review compliance with the Order made by my right hon. Friend the former President of the Board of Trade on 19 May 1998, following the 1997 Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of eight categories of domestic electrical goods (including washing machines). The Order prohibits suppliers of those goods from recommending retail prices to retailers, and from influencing the prices at which retailers sell their goods, and came into force on 1 September 1998.
The Government are keen to ensure that UK consumers are not disadvantaged by anti-competitive practices. The new Competition Act 1998 therefore gives the Director General tougher powers to investigate anti-competitive practices. For the first time, it gives him powers to seize company records, take quick action to halt commercial practices which are anti-competitive and fine companies whose behaviour is found to be anti-competitive.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with consumer groups about price competition in the white goods sector. [66576]
§ Dr. HowellsI meet with consumer groups regularly to discuss a wide range of issues, and will continue to do so.