§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the data collected by his Department on the prices of the goods subject to the Restriction on Agreements and Conducts (Specified Domestic Electrical Goods) Order 1998(a) before and (b) after commencement of the Order; [74135]
(2) in what respects average unit prices for each of the categories of electrical goods subject to the Restriction on Agreements and Conduct (Specified Domestic Electrical Goods) Order 1998 have altered in each of the last five years in (a) cash terms and (b) real terms. [74137]
§ Dr. HowellsMy Department does not collect this information.
However, information published in the Office for National Statistics Business Monitor MM23 shows that retail prices of audio-visual equipment have fallen on average by 7 per cent. per year over the five years to 1998, retail prices for electrical appliances have fallen by 2½ per cent. per year and retail prices for toys, photographic and sports goods have fallen by ½ per cent. per year, compared with an average rise of 3 per cent. per year for all items index.
It is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading to keep under review commercial activities in the UK and monitor compliance with Orders made under UK competition legislation. The Restriction on Agreements and Conduct (Specified Domestic Electrical Goods) Order 1998 has so far been in force for only six months.