To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what information his Department collects on the (a) closure of (i) post offices, (ii) bank branches and (iii) independent retail shops and (b) effects on number of miles travelled to access services.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what information his Department collects on the (a) closure of (i) post offices, (ii) bank branches and (iii) independent retail shops and (b) effects on number of miles travelled to access services.

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Suppliers are terrified about making a complaint. Ministers say to me, ““Where is the evidence? Bring it on.”” However, suppliers do not want to complain because if they do so, they will not be able to sell their goods in the shops, which will...

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Suppliers are terrified about making a complaint. Ministers say to me, ““Where is the evidence? Bring it on.”” However, suppliers do not want to complain because if they do so, they will not be able to sell their goods in the shops, which will...

I am sure that OFT officials will read the record of the debate very carefully. The major concern with the current code is that suppliers will not make complaints to the OFT for fear that such action would limit their ability to secure contracts with other supermarkets. I have listened...

I am sure that OFT officials will read the record of the debate very carefully. The major concern with the current code is that suppliers will not make complaints to the OFT for fear that such action would limit their ability to secure contracts with other supermarkets. I have listened...

I will bring that point to the attention of colleagues in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. I will also mention the specific story of what allegedly happened in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East.

I will bring that point to the attention of colleagues in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. I will also mention the specific story of what allegedly happened in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East.

Adjournment debate on a supermarket regulator.

Adjournment debate on a supermarket regulator.

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: things have got considerably worse. Evidence has been produced, which is why there is a need for action. As well as the organisations referred to in the hon. Gentleman’s report and the ACS, several other interest groups have growing concerns about supermarket expansion. The...

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: things have got considerably worse. Evidence has been produced, which is why there is a need for action. As well as the organisations referred to in the hon. Gentleman’s report and the ACS, several other interest groups have growing concerns about supermarket expansion. The...

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this important debate. I am a modest and humble member of the all-party group on small shops. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the group is conducting an inquiry entitled, ““Britain’s high street 2015””? The year 2015 is the 200th anniversary of the...

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this important debate. I am a modest and humble member of the all-party group on small shops. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the group is conducting an inquiry entitled, ““Britain’s high street 2015””? The year 2015 is the 200th anniversary of the...

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. I do not often visit his constituency, but sometimes I pass through Kettering on my way to Leicester when the M1 is blocked, and over the 18 years since I became a Member I have seen the changes there. Unless we take appropriate action...

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. I do not often visit his constituency, but sometimes I pass through Kettering on my way to Leicester when the M1 is blocked, and over the 18 years since I became a Member I have seen the changes there. Unless we take appropriate action...

I, too, congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing such an important debate. He is presenting the case very well, and I support what he has said. To add weight to his argument, not only small shops suffer from the buying power of supermarkets; suppliers often suffer, too. Dairy farmers receive...

I, too, congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing such an important debate. He is presenting the case very well, and I support what he has said. To add weight to his argument, not only small shops suffer from the buying power of supermarkets; suppliers often suffer, too. Dairy farmers receive...

The hon. Gentleman is right of course. A little later I shall discuss the position of suppliers and how supermarkets, due to their power, have been able to exert unnecessary pressure on them. The ACS response, due this week, is expected to present a number of conclusions and suggestions for...

The hon. Gentleman is right of course. A little later I shall discuss the position of suppliers and how supermarkets, due to their power, have been able to exert unnecessary pressure on them. The ACS response, due this week, is expected to present a number of conclusions and suggestions for...

: My hon. Friend rightly pays tribute to the quality, range and price successes that Tesco has enjoyed. He noted that Tesco is the third largest retailer in the world, but does any other retailer in that top 10 have such a dominant position in its home market?

: My hon. Friend rightly pays tribute to the quality, range and price successes that Tesco has enjoyed. He noted that Tesco is the third largest retailer in the world, but does any other retailer in that top 10 have such a dominant position in its home market?

That is an easy question: the answer is no, not as far as I am aware. It is a unique form of domination. As hon. Members have noted this evening, the relationship between the dominant supermarket, Tesco, and the suppliers is a source of concern. In today’s Financial Times, it...

That is an easy question: the answer is no, not as far as I am aware. It is a unique form of domination. As hon. Members have noted this evening, the relationship between the dominant supermarket, Tesco, and the suppliers is a source of concern. In today’s Financial Times, it...

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that dominance is unfortunately not illegal? Abuse of dominance is illegal, but it is difficult to prove that there has been abuse under the present system.

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that dominance is unfortunately not illegal? Abuse of dominance is illegal, but it is difficult to prove that there has been abuse under the present system.

The dominance of supermarkets keeps the farming industry on edge all the time, so its survival is touch and go. It is the same story for the beef and dairy industries. They are teetering on the edge because they cannot get sustained long-term agreements.

The dominance of supermarkets keeps the farming industry on edge all the time, so its survival is touch and go. It is the same story for the beef and dairy industries. They are teetering on the edge because they cannot get sustained long-term agreements.

I am sure that the Minister fully appreciates that my hon. Friend is being generous with his time. Dairy farmers face a problem because as they try to compete and produce at a cost that is effective for them, the size of their herds is growing at a phenomenal rate....

I am sure that the Minister fully appreciates that my hon. Friend is being generous with his time. Dairy farmers face a problem because as they try to compete and produce at a cost that is effective for them, the size of their herds is growing at a phenomenal rate....

My hon. Friend is right that the knock-on effect on the farming and dairy industries is profound, which is why it is important that the matter is reviewed. Small shops are the very life blood of our community. They provide opportunities, jobs and vital services to local people. Small businesses...

My hon. Friend is right that the knock-on effect on the farming and dairy industries is profound, which is why it is important that the matter is reviewed. Small shops are the very life blood of our community. They provide opportunities, jobs and vital services to local people. Small businesses...

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. This is not just a question of the nervousness of the industry and its inability to plan, because as suppliers try to meet the margins that Tesco and others demand of them, they will cut costs, pay lower wages and standards will decline, which...

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. This is not just a question of the nervousness of the industry and its inability to plan, because as suppliers try to meet the margins that Tesco and others demand of them, they will cut costs, pay lower wages and standards will decline, which...

May I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on securing parliamentary time—probably more than he anticipated—for this important debate. I am glad to have an opportunity to discuss the issues that he raised. As he acknowledged, the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, my...

May I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on securing parliamentary time—probably more than he anticipated—for this important debate. I am glad to have an opportunity to discuss the issues that he raised. As he acknowledged, the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, my...

The Minister referred to the range of powers given to the Competition Commission. What social and environmental considerations can the commission take into account when deciding whether or not certain market practices are in the interests of the British consumer?

The Minister referred to the range of powers given to the Competition Commission. What social and environmental considerations can the commission take into account when deciding whether or not certain market practices are in the interests of the British consumer?

Until this evening, I thought that my hon. Friend had nothing in common with his predecessor. However, in relation to town-fringe stores, is not it the case, as my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Foster) said, that the picture painted in the planning application—especially in economic terms—is often...

Until this evening, I thought that my hon. Friend had nothing in common with his predecessor. However, in relation to town-fringe stores, is not it the case, as my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Foster) said, that the picture painted in the planning application—especially in economic terms—is often...