Written question asked by Baroness Browning (Conservative) on Monday, 8 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 November 1999. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 1999 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many complaints were received from petrol retailers by the Director General of Fair Trading in (a) 1998 and (b) the first six months of 1999 concerning their contracts with petroleum suppliers; and what action was taken in response to such complaints.

Answer: Mrs. Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints were received from petrol retailers by the Director General of Fair Trading in (a) 1998 and (b) the first six months of 1999 concerning their contracts with petroleum suppliers; and what action was taken in response to such complaints. [98178] Dr. Howells: This is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading. The Office of Fair Trading has advised that they received approximately 57 complaints from 40 retailers concerning their contracts with petroleum suppliers in 1998, and approximately 15 complaints from 11 retailers in the first six months of 1999. No formal action was taken as a result of the complaints, as the Office of Fair Trading did not consider that any of the complaints raised competition issues.

Secondary information