| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 24/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 5 |
| Copyright: Other |
ARTAC seeks OFTadvice on recruitment
ARTAC has asked the Office of Fair Trading for advice on its recruitment policy which restricts the number of members it has in one catchment area.The consortium says it is reviewing its membership rules because it wants to make sure its policy does not flout competition laws.
Managing director Julian Foster said: “We approached the OFTto see if it would cast a beady eye over our rules.
“We restrict members in certain areas. That’s our present position and is written into the rules.
“We define it by a shopping area which is more logical than by postcode, which is the method that some groups go by.
“If we had to change the rule we would not be able to object to a new member who wanted to join even if the agent was based in an area where we are well subscribed.”
An OFT spokesman claimed the consortium may be concerned its recruitment policy could be seen as a restrictive trade practice and that open competition should be allowed as far as possible.
He confirmed ARTAC had approached the OFT for guidance, adding: “We’ve had preliminary discussions with ARTAC and it has gone off to consider its strategy.”