Written question asked by Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 7 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 February 2003. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Monday, 24 February 2003 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, whether the Supermarket Code of Practice on Supermarkets' Dealings with Suppliers applies to the supermarkets' trading relationships with farmers and others who supply the supermarkets indirectly through an intermediary; and if she will make a statement. - (Holding answer 12 February 2003).

Answer: Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Supermarket Code of Practice on Supermarkets' Dealings with Suppliers applies to the supermarkets' trading relationships with farmers and others who supply the supermarkets indirectly through an intermediary; and if she will make a statement. [97589] Ms Hewitt: [holding answer 12 February 2003]: The Code defines a supplier as any person actually or potentially carrying on business in the supply of groceries to any of the four supermarkets which have given statutory undertakings to abide by the Code, namely Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys and Safeway. This includes any supplier who acts as principal in providing groceries to supermarkets either direct or through an agent. However, this does not include suppliers that sell goods to an intermediary which then sells on to a supermarket.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 97589; 400 c75W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Codes of practice Competition Farmers Prices Monopolies Retail trade Supermarkets Agricultural products
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk