To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will exempt (a) newspaper distribution arrangements, (b) the arrangements between oil companies and filling stations and (c) the tie between brewers and pubs from the terms of the Competition Bill prohibitions. [15817]

Agreements which fulfil the criteria for exemption under European block exemption regulations, including those relating to beer tie agreements, petrol service station agreements and exclusive distribution will be automatically exempt from the Chapter 1 prohibition in the Competition Bill. There is no exemption from Chapter II prohibition in the Bill.