§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when she last met the National Federation of Retail Newsagents to discuss wholesaler monopolies of newspaper and magazine distribution; [60496]
(2) if she will meet the chief executive of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents to discuss the wholesaler monopolies of newspaper and magazine distribution. [60497]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonMy right hon. Friend and other DTI Ministers have not met the National Federation of Retail Newsagents recently.
Responsibility for monitoring the newspaper and magazine distribution market and investigating allegations of anti-competitive behaviour lies with the Director General of Fair Trading. The Office of Fair Trading is currently reviewing the Code of Practice on the supply of national newspapers, introduced following the 1993 monopoly report on newspaper distribution in England and Wales. It is also examining other issues affecting the industry including exclusive distribution and carriage charges.