HC Deb 16 November 1967 vol 754 cc611-2
6. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement on the rôle of the Industrial Re-organisation Corporation in the proposed merger between General Electric Company and Associated Electrical Industries.

Mr. Shore

No, Sir.

Mr. Mills

While welcoming G.E.C.'s success, surely it must be wrong for a statutory corporation to become involved in recommending a take-over bid? Would the Minister consider laying down the kind of criteria on which the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation can intervene in future cases?

Mr. Shore

It is right that the Corporation itself should decide its policy towards particular proposals. Therefore, that was really a question for the Corporation.

Mr. William Price

Is the Minister aware that this merger is a very serious matter for those of us who have A.E.I. factories in our constituencies? What assurances did the Government seek through the I.R.C. about the future welfare of those factories?

Mr. Shore

The I.R.C. knows of the Government's concern for the objectives of regional policy.

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