COMPETITION COMMISSION TO HOLD OPEN HEARING ON SUPPLY OF EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL GOODS IN LONDON ON 25 APRIL

OPERATIONAL NOTE

The Competition Commission is to hold an open hearing on 25 April, as part of its inquiry into the supply of extended warranties for domestic electrical goods. The hearing will take place at the Institution of Electrical Engineers, Savoy Place, London, WC2.

Registration will start at 0845 and the hearing will commence at 0910. It is expected to end around 1300. There will be a photo opportunity (TV cameras and stills) for 15 minutes at 0855 and again after the press briefing, which will be at around 1315.

An archive webcast of the hearing will be available later in the day from the Competition Commission web site.

All the main parties have been invited to attend, together with their representative bodies, analysts, consumer bodies, trade associations, manufacturers and large and small retailers. Following general introductory presentations on the extended warranty market and on the NOP surveys, there will be three sessions, one for consumer views, one for retailers, and one for manufacturers and insurers. Each session will include a couple of presentations followed by points from other attendees or the Competition Commission panel. This is aimed at giving all the main groups an opportunity to put their view, and to hear from others.

Representatives of the press are welcome to observe the hearings and those who wish to attend should contact the Press Office Tel: 020 7271 0242. A transcript of the proceedings will be available on the Commission website at a later date.

Notes to Editors

1. The inquiry into the market for extended warranties on domestic electrical goods was announced by John Vickers, Office of Fair Trading Chairman, on 2 July 2002: see OFT news release 40/02 and Competition Commission news release 34/02. The Commission has been asked to report to the Secretary of State by 1 July 2003 and the report will be published by the DTI some weeks later.

2. The inquiry is being carried out by a group of five members of the Commission: Sir Derek Morris, Christopher Clarke, Dr Diane Coyle, Peter Hazell and Dr Elizabeth Monck. Sir Derek Morris will chair the meeting.

3. The meeting will take place on Friday 25 April from 0845 to 1300 at the Institution of Electrical Engineers, Savoy Place, London, WC2.

4. Anyone wishing to attend, particularly those with a specific interest in the market may apply for an admission pass to:

Andrew Brown,
Room 502
Competition Commission
New Court, 48 Carey Street
London WC2A 2JT

E-mail: Andrew.Brown@competition - commission.gsi.gov.uk

Within the constraints of space every opportunity will be made to meet requests, but in considering applications the Commission will aim to ensure the meeting is attended by people covering a representative range of interests. Applicants should explain the nature of their interest.

5. The open hearing is in addition to the Commission's normal procedures for carrying out its investigations, which include collecting evidence in writing and holding private hearings with individual parties. An outline timetable for the Extended Warranties inquiry may be found on the Commission's website: www.competition-commission.org.uk

6. Enquiries should be directed to:

Francis Royle, Press Officer, Competition Commission, Tel: 020 7271 0242