§ Mrs. DeanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the competitive impact of the growth of pub-owning chains in the United Kingdom beer market; [139940]
(2) when he will announce the findings of the six-month review of the beer orders conducted by the Office of Fair Trading; [139941]
(3) what assessment his Department has made of the pattern of ownership in the tenanted UK pub estate. [139942]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Office of Fair Trading's review of the 1989 Beer Orders addresses a number of issues in the pub and brewing industries, including structural changes in the pub retailing sector. We are currently considering the Office's report carefully, and will make a statement shortly.