asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce, in view of the commitment made by him on 23 November, 1988 to review the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order with a view to including potatoes within the scope of the Order, (i) if the review has taken place (ii) if not, when it will take place and (iii) if he will consider including potatoes within the scope of this Order to prevent a potato war.
Written Answers. - Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order.
170.
The review of the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order, 1987 has not yet taken place. Due to the very heavy workload which the Fair Trade Commission has at present it is not possible at this stage to state when the review is likely to take place.
The review will address, among other things, the question of whether fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh and frozen poultry should come within the scope of the order. Any decision on the inclusion of potatoes within the scope of the order must await the outcome of the findings of the review to be carried out by the Fair Trade Commission.