Disclosure of Interest

Extended Warranties monopoly inquiry

Tom Muir, the Commission staff secretary for this inquiry, was employed by the British Retail Consortium, some of whose member companies supply extended warranties, from April 1994 to April 1997 as Assistant Director then Director, dealing with economic policy, employment, education and training and transport. He left the BRC following a restructuring of its organisation. He draws a pension from the BRC's staff retirement benefits scheme. This scheme is being wound up with effect from 19 June 2001. When winding up is complete the BRC scheme trustees will have no further responsibility for it, the scheme assets being held by the manager, Scottish Widows, to pay the pension entitlements.

The role of a Commission inquiry secretary is administrative but entails attendance at meetings of the group of members charged to undertake the inquiry.

The Commission is satisfied that the impartiality of the inquiry will not be affected by the relationship described but any party to the inquiry concerned by it should write without delay to the Chief Executive of the Commission at New Court, 48 Carey Street, London WC2A 2JT.

 
31 July 2002