Clause 179 - Cartel offence
Enterprise Bill
4:45 pm
Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne, Conservative)
No, quite the opposite. It just seems to make enormous sense, particularly if we are trying to look after the interests of British business. If people have to adjust to diverging regimes, it would be an enormous burden on business, an extra cost and not very sensible. I do not think that I have ever been accused of being excessively communautaire, but it seems completely barmy to have two diverging systems affecting British companies or foreign companies operating in this country; hence, the timing in the amendment.
As we know, the Commission has plans to reform the situation. It is planning to share enforcement of the rules with the national competition authorities and the courts of each member state, and it hopes to ensure consistent application of the law by establishing a network between itself and the national competition authorities for the passing of information. We will deal with the passing of information in considerably more detail on the stand part debate.