§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent investigations have been carried out into the competitive nature of cross-channel ferries; and if she will make a statement. [188910]
§ Mr. SutcliffeThe European Commission is conducting an investigation info cross-channel transport services, to ascertain whether there is:1722WS evidence of suspected cartel agreements and related illegal practices concerning fixing of prices and trade conditions for cross-channel transport services; and evidence of suspected market sharing agreements in relation to the provision of ferry services to and from the UK.
It is for the independent competition authorities in the UK, and for the European Commission if there is an effect on inter-state trade, to investigate competition in markets and the effects of mergers on competition in markets.