§ 27. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will make a statement on her discussions with representatives of workers at the Scottish Daily Express, in relation to the operation of the Fair Trading Act.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsI have nothing to add to the statement which was made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade on 27th March.—[Vol. 871, c. 467–75.]
§ Mr. DalyellHas there been any approach to my right hon. Friend's Department about the Glasgow Evening Citizen?
§ Mrs. WilliamsThere was an approach about the Glasgow Evening Citizen from Beaverbrook Newspapers Limited and from the trade unions. My hon. Friend will recognise that the powers which I have under the Act are extremely narrow. They require me to give permission, without any form of report from the Monopolies Commission, if I am satisfied that a newspaper is not financially viable and that it cannot be run as a separate enterprise. I made careful inquiries and I was obliged to say that I was satisfied on both points.