WATERSTONES & SMALL PUBLISHERS

Early day motion 164, tabled 8 January 2001 by Barry Gardiner (Labour). Signed by 43 members.

That this House supports the 635 small and medium sized publishers in their call for an inquiry by the Office of Fair Trading into Waterstone's unilateral variation of their terms of trade demanding 50 per cent. discounts and extended credit period from 60 to 90 days; expresses its concern that Waterstone's may have abused its dominant position in the market in violation of the Competition Act 1998; and regrets the effect which this action may have on the viability of such publishers and upon the range of books ultimately available to the public.

Signatures by party: Labour 37, Liberal Democrat 4, Plaid Cymru 1, Unknown 1.