Written question asked by Tim Yeo (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 July 1999. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Monday, 5 July 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will assess the effect on farm gate prices of purchasing policies following the proposed merger between Wal-Mart and Asda.

Answer: Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the effect on farm gate prices of purchasing policies following the proposed merger between Wal-Mart and Asda. [89258] Mr. Nick Brown: The purchasing policies of individual supermarkets are primarily a matter for the businesses concerned. The Competition Commission is conducting a 12 month investigation of grocery retailing and will examine, as part of that review, the nature of the relationships between the multiples and their suppliers including agricultural producers.

Secondary information