Written Question · S2W-14594 · Session 2
Whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of its plans to repeal the Competition Act 1998 (Land and Verti…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of its plans to repeal the Competition Act 1998 (Land and Vertical Agreements Exclusion) Order 2000, in light of views expressed by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents and the Scottish Grocers Federation.
The answer
On 23 February the Office ofFair Trading (OFT) announced its preliminary conclusions on newspaper and magazinedistribution in light of the repeal of the Vertical Exclusion Order.
The OFT concluded that it wouldnot recommend to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry thata block exemption be made for newspaper and magazine distribution. Preliminary findingsalso indicated that current distribution agreements for newspapers are likely tobe compatible with the Competition Act and that, without “absolute territorialprotection” restrictions, agreements for magazines are also likely to be compatible.
The Scottish Executive will continueto engage with interested parties regarding any further impacts of the decisionto repeal the order.
The OFT concluded that it wouldnot recommend to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry thata block exemption be made for newspaper and magazine distribution. Preliminary findingsalso indicated that current distribution agreements for newspapers are likely tobe compatible with the Competition Act and that, without “absolute territorialprotection” restrictions, agreements for magazines are also likely to be compatible.
The Scottish Executive will continueto engage with interested parties regarding any further impacts of the decisionto repeal the order.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-14594 by reference.