Written question asked by David Chaytor (Labour) on Monday, 13 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 24 July 1998. It was answered by Barbara Roche (Labour) on Friday, 24 July 1998 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what research her Department has commissioned on the impact of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment on (a) restrictive trade practices and (b) consumers in the United Kingdom.

Answer: Mr. Chaytor: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has commissioned on the impact of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment on (a) restrictive trade practices and (b) consumers in the United Kingdom. [50760] Mrs. Roche: We have not commissioned any such research. The UK already has an open and liberal economy, and has benefited greatly from the inward investment we have attracted as a result. If the multilateral agreement on investment increases inward investment even further, we would expect this to lead to increased competition and hence benefits for consumers. The UK and EU regulatory framework for competition policy exists to deal with anti-competitive behaviour.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 50760; 316 c742W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Competition Research Restrictive trade practices Multilateral Agreement on Investment