Supermarkets

Andrew George
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Supermarkets Code of Practice is being monitored; and what action his Department has taken to ensure that it is implemented effectively.

Mr. McCartney
[holding answer 19 December 2006]: Competition in the grocery sector is a matter for the independent competition authorities and not the DTI. Ministers no longer have a role in this area.

The Supermarket Code of Practice remains in force, monitored by the OFT. The Competition Commission is able to recommend changes to the Supermarkets Code as part of its wider inquiry into the grocery market should it be deemed necessary.

Andrew George
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment his Department has made of the likely impact of below-cost selling by supermarkets on the future of market choice for consumers.

Mr. McCartney
[holding answer 19 December 2006]: Competition in the grocery sector is a matter for the independent competition authorities and not the DTI. The Office of Fair Trading identified below-cost selling as an issue that could distort competition when it referred the grocery market to the Competition Commission for a market inquiry.

It is for the Competition Commission to make an assessment and decide if any action is necessary.