HC Deb 20 January 2000 vol 342 cc520-1W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate the prospects for independent petrol retailers. [105269]

Dr. Howells

DTI Ministers have no plans to investigate this particular market sector. In so far as there are any possible competition issues, it would be for the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate.

The Director General last looked at the petrol market in 1998. He found that independent petrol retailers had suffered as a result of strong competition between the oil companies and the supermarkets, but overall the market was competitive and consumers were benefiting.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he investigates regional monopolies of the sale of petrol by oil companies. [105270]

Dr. Howells

Under UK competition legislation, responsibility for investigating allegations of anti-competitive practices, abuse of monopoly position and restrictive trade practices lies with the Director General of Fair Trading.

Any evidence of abuse of monopoly position, on a regional or national basis, should be passed to the Director General of Fair Trading.