HC Deb 16 June 2003 vol 407 c14W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had and representations she has received on take-over proposals in the supermarket industry, and the ramifications for(a) producers and (b) consumers. [118113]

Mr. Morley

Defra Ministers have been in recent correspondence with the competition authorities about this subject and have also touched upon the matter in the course of discussions on other subjects with various industry stakeholders.

Responsibility for Government policy on competition issues is a matter for the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.