ACS

The Grocery Ombudsman Bill passed Committee stage in the House of Commons on Tuesday. The Bill promoted by Albert Owen MP has been a focal point for ongoing pressure for Government to implement the recommendation of the Competition Commission that arose from the 2008 Grocery Market Inquiry.

Mr Owen used the opportunity of the debate to set the record straight for those that had spoken against the creation of an Ombudsman. He said: “the Bill is not about price setting; it is simply about fair trading and setting up an ombudsman to oversee the new code of practice that came into force this year. It is not about vested interests, nor was it devised on the back of an envelope; it is a response to a wide and comprehensive Competition Commission inquiry into the unfair practices of major retailers.”

Minister Kevin Brennan responded to debate stating that there was much agreement between the front benches on the principle that an Ombudsman was needed and reminded the Committee that a consultation is running until the end of April on how a regulator could be set up and operate.

Conservative spokesman Jim Paice, reaffirmed Conservative commitment to the creation of an Ombudsman, but signaled concerns about the creation of a new Quango for the purpose and also that further thought was required on whether an ombudsman could cover the relationship between supermarkets and very large supplier companies.
The Bill passed Committee, there are more Parliamentary stages that it would have to complete for it to become legislation and given the speculation that Parliament will be dissolved shortly after Easter these are unlikely to be completed and therefore the Bill is unlikely to become law. We can expect however for the matter to be taken up by Ministers after the election.

James Lowman ACS Chief Executive said: “Albert Owen’s Bill has been a key factor in the breakthrough in political support on this issue, his Bill and the persistent support of his Parliamentary colleagues like Andrew George MP, have made the likelihood of an effective regulator and a fairer market far more real. We will continue to press for this outcome to happen as soon after the election as possible.”