NEWSPAPER DISTRIBUTION

Early day motion 254, tabled 15 July 1997 by Ken Livingstone (Labour). Signed by 128 members.

That this House notes that the introduction of a new code of practice for the national newspaper industry in October 1994 has led to a diminished service to readers and a threat to the diversity and democracy of the Press because the thousands of new outlets created, such as petrol stations and supermarkets, can only carry a limited range of high circulation papers and therefore traditional newsagent outlets, unable to compete, are closing down; further notes that this situation is exacerbated by the fact that, following exclusive contracts issued by publishers, whole areas are serviced by only one wholesaler, and that wholesale depots have decreased in number by over half in 12 months with a consequent loss of service and choice to customers and an increased trend to monopolisation which will threaten all but the largest publications; and therefore believes this matter should be urgently referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission before the damage to press freedom is irreversible.

Signatures by party: Labour 96, Liberal Democrat 15, Labour/Co-operative 9, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, UUP 1.