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Bill · started in the Commons

Grocery Market Ombudsman Bill

A Bill to make provision for the appointment, functions and powers of a Grocery Market Ombudsman; and for connected purposes.

In progress Current stage: Committee stage (Commons)

The story so farThe Grocery Market Ombudsman Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 16 December 2009 by Albert Owen (Labour). It is now at committee stage in the House of Commons. At committee stage the bill is examined line by line and amendments can be made, before it returns for report stage.

What the bill does

<p>The Bill would establish an independent ombudsman for the grocery market to oversee the operation of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice. The Bill would provide for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), within three months of the Bill's enactment, to establish the Office of the Grocery Market Ombudsman and a person as the Grocery Market Ombudsman. </p><p>Although funded by the OFT, the ombudsman would be independent of it and would investigate complaints or disputes referred by the OFT, retailers or suppliers. The ombudsman&rsquo;s determination would be final and binding on all parties and he/she would have the power to impose monetary penalties and/or costs. The Secretary of State would establish by regulation an appropriate range for such penalties, and would provide for enforcement.</p>

Progress through Parliament

  1. 1st reading Commons 16 Dec 2009
  2. 2nd reading Commons 5 Mar 2010
  3. Money resolution Commons 23 Mar 2010
  4. Committee stage Commons 30 Mar 2010

Source: the official bill page. Last updated 19 Apr 2010.