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Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Sainsbury of Turville (Labour) on Monday, 15 May 2006.


Cuba: Cigars

Question
Whether the present arrangements for the import of Cuban cigars into the United Kingdom are in the interests of the consumer; and whether they will refer the issue to the competition authorities.
Answer

The UK competition framework has established the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) as an independent statutory body because the Government wanted to take the politics out of competition decisions allowing expert, independent competition bodies to take decisions on mergers and markets. Competition in the cigar and tobacco product sectors is therefore a matter for the OFT.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
5588; 682 c4WA
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Competition Imports Tobacco Cuba
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk