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Written question asked by Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour) on Thursday, 28 June 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 July 2018. It was answered by Andrew Griffiths (Conservative) on Thursday, 5 July 2018 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Asda: Sainsbury's

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he plans to take to support suppliers and consumer choice after the merger of Sainsbury’s and Asda.

Answer

Direct suppliers to Sainsbury’s and Asda are already covered by the Groceries Supply Code of Practice and benefit from the work of the Groceries Code Adjudicator to ensure they are treated lawfully and fairly. They will continue to be protected by the Code and the Adjudicator should the proposed merger go ahead.

Under the Enterprise Act 2002 the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have the powers to investigate, independently of Government, whether mergers raise competition issues that could have an impact on consumer choice. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has written to the Chief Executive of the CMA to express his view that, when assessing the proposed merger of Sainsbury’s and ASDA, the CMA should consider the possible impact on the supply chain.

The Government will continue to monitor closely this proposed merger.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
158768
Session
2017-19
Related items
Asda: Sainsbury's
Tuesday, 24 July 2018
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Mergers Asda Sainsbury's
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk