Regional Water Authorities (Monopoly Situation)

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Oral Answers to Questions – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 12 May 1980.

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Photo of Mrs Sally Oppenheim Mrs Sally Oppenheim , Gloucester 12:00, 12 May 1980

Any reference under section 11 of the Competition Act implies, as is correct in this case, that a monopoly exists and that therefore consumers need special protection. The purposes of these references, which vary from reference to reference, is to ensure that there are no elements of cost which are passed on in higher prices which may represent inefficiency or overmanning or are passed on in higher prices because of an abuse of a monopoly.