CARRIAGE CHARGES AND SMALL NEWSAGENTS

Early day motion 1045, tabled 20 March 2002 by Peter Pike (Labour). Signed by 81 members.

That this House notes the very high percentage increases in carriage charges which are hitting particularly small, independent newsagents; believes that this is putting at risk the viability of local shops and the availability of home-delivery, especially in more socially excluded and remote locations; further notes that many of the largest retailers have announced their intention to refuse to pay these increases; backs the action of those small independent newsagents who similarly refuse to pay; and calls upon the competition authorities to ensure that powerful dominant wholesalers are not allowed to abuse their position by withholding supplies, especially if they are not taking comparable action against the supermarket chains.

Signatures by party: Labour 42, Liberal Democrat 25, Conservative 4, Labour/Co-operative 4, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, DUP 1, UUP 1.