FUTURE OF LOCAL COMMUNITY SHOPS

Early day motion 876, tabled 26 October 2005 by David Drew (Labour). Signed by 98 members.

That this House believes in the importance of diversity and consumer choice in grocery shopping; is deeply concerned at the closure of more than 2,000 independent local shops in 2004 because of consolidation in the market; expresses disappointment and concern that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) decided not to conduct a full review of the grocery market in the light of this threat to the local shop; welcomes the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Small Shops that is carrying out an inquiry into the `High Street 2015'; and calls on the OFT to reconsider its decision.

Signatures by party: Labour 53, Liberal Democrat 26, Conservative 11, DUP 4, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.