§ Lords amendment: No. 53, insert the following new Clause—
§ "Intervention to protect legitimate interests
- (1) Subsection(2) applies where—
- (a) the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds for suspecting that it is or may be the case that—
- (i) a relevant merger situation has been created or that arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation; and
- (ii) a concentration with a Community dimension (within the meaning of the European Merger Regulations), or a part of such a concentration, has thereby arisen or will thereby arise;
- (b) a reference which would otherwise be possible under section 21 or 32 is prevented from being made under that section in relation to the relevant merger situation concerned by virtue of Community law or anything done under or in accordance with it; and
- (c) the Secretary of State is considering whether to take appropriate measures to protect legitimate interests as permitted by article 21(3) of the European Merger Regulations.
- (2) The Secretary of State may give a notice to the OFT (in this section "a European intervention notice") if he believes that it is or may be the case that one or more than one public interest consideration is relevant to a consideration of the relevant merger situation concerned.
- (3) A European intervention notice shall state—
- (a) the relevant merger situation concerned;
- (b) the public interest consideration or considerations which are, or may be, relevant to a consideration of the relevant merger situation concerned; and
- (c) where any public interest consideration concerned is not finalised, the proposed timetable for finalising it.
- (4) Where the Secretary of State believes that it is or may be the case that two or more public interest considerations are relevant to a consideration of the relevant merger situation concerned, he may decide not to mention in the intervention notice such of those considerations as he considers appropriate.
- (5) No more than one European intervention notice shall be given under subsection (2) in relation to the same relevant merger situation.
- (6) Where the Secretary of State has given a European intervention notice mentioning a public interest consideration which, at that time, is not finalised, he shall, as soon as practicable, take such action as is within his power to ensure that it is finalised.
- (7) For the purposes of deciding whether a relevant merger situation has been created or whether arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation, sections 22 to 31 (read together with section 33) shall apply for the purposes of this section as they do for the purposes of Chapter 1 but subject to subsection (8).
- (8) In their application by virtue of subsection (7) sections 22 to 31 shall have effect as if—
- (a) references in those sections to the decision-making authority were references to the Secretary of State;
- (b) for paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 22(9) there were substituted ", in relation to the giving of a European intervention notice, the time when the notice is given";
- (c) the references to the OFT in section 23(2)(a) and (b) included references to the Secretary of State;
- (d) sections 24, 30 and 31 were omitted; and
- (e) the references in sections 22 to 28 to the making of a reference or a reference were, so far as necessary, references to the giving of a European intervention notice or a European intervention notice.
- (9) Section 41(3) shall, in its application to this section and section (Scheme for protecting legitimate interests), have effect as if for the words "intervention notice" there were substituted "European intervention notice"."
§
Amendment proposed to the Lords amendment (a), after "consideration", insert—
, or a matter relating to the legitimate interests of the balanced distribution of industry and employment,".—[Mr. Barnes.]
§ Question put, That the amendment to the Lords amendment be made:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 48, Noes 283.
942| Division No. 344] | [7:52pm |
| AYES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Mahon, Mrs Alice |
| Banks, Tony | Marshall, Jim (Leicester S) |
| Barnes, Harry | Mitchell, Austin (Gt Grimsby) |
| Barrett, John | Öpik, Lembit |
| Brooke, Mrs Annette L. | Price, Adam (E Carmarthen & Dinefwr) |
| Burnett, John | |
| Cable, Dr. Vincent | Reid, Allan (Argyll & Bute) |
| Calton, Mrs Patsy | Rendel, David |
| Campbell, rh Menzies (NE Fife) | Robertson, Angus (Moray) |
| Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) | Russell, Bob (Colchester) |
| Carmichael, Alistair | Simpson, Alan (Nottingham S) |
| Clapham, Michael | Skinner, Dennis |
| Davey, Edward (Kingston) | Smith, Sir Robert (W Ab'd'ns & Kincardine) |
| Doughty, Sue | |
| Ewing, Annabelle | Stunell, Andrew |
| Foster, Don (Bath) | Thomas, Simon (Ceredigion) |
| George, Andrew (St. Ives) | |
| Gerrard, Neil | Thurso, John |
| Green, Matthew (Ludlow) | Vis, Dr. Rudi |
| Holmes, Paul | Webb, Steve (Northavon) |
| Hughes, Simon (Southwark N) | Weir, Michael |
| Jones, Lynne (Selly Oak) | Williams, Roger (Brecon) |
| Kennedy, rh Charles (Ross Skye & Inverness) | Wishart, Pete |
| Younger-Ross, Richard | |
| Lamb, Norman | |
| Laws, David (Yeovil) | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Llwyd, Elfyn | Tom Brake and Mr. Kelvin Hopkins |
| McDonnell, John |
| NOES | |
| Adams, Irene (Paisley N) | Donohoe, Brian H. |
| Ainger, Nick | Doran, Frank |
| Alexander, Douglas | Dorrell, rh Stephen |
| Allen, Graham | Dowd, Jim (Lewisham W) |
| Anderson, rh Donald (Swansea E) | Drew, David (Stroud) |
| Anderson, Janet (Rossendale & Darwen) | Drown, Ms Julia |
| Eagle, Maria (L'pool Garston) | |
| Atherton, Ms Candy | Edwards, Huw |
| Atkins, Charlotte | Ennis, Jeff (Barnsley E) |
| Bailey, Adrian | Etherington, Bill |
| Barron, rh Kevin | Field, Mark (Cities of London & Westminster) |
| Battle, John | |
| Bayley, Hugh | Fisher, Mark |
| Begg, Miss Anne | Fitzpatrick, Jim |
| Beggs, Roy (E Antrim) | Flint, Caroline |
| Benn, Hilary | Flynn, Paul (Newport W) |
| Benton, Joe (Bootle) | Follett, Barbara |
| Berry, Roger | Foster, rh Derek |
| Blackman, Liz | Foster, Michael (Worcester) |
| Blears, Ms Hazel | Foster, Michael Jabez (Hastings & Rye) |
| Boateng, rh Paul | |
| Borrow, David | Francis, Dr. Hywel |
| Bradley, rh Keith (Withington) | Gapes, Mike (Ilford S) |
| Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin) | Gardiner, Barry |
| Brennan, Kevin | George, rh Bruce (Walsall S) |
| Brown, Russell (Dumfries) | Gilroy, Linda |
| Bryant, Chris | Godsiff, Roger |
| Burden, Richard | Goggins, Paul |
| Burgon, Colin | Griffiths, Jane (Reading E) |
| Burnham, Andy | Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) |
| Byers, rh Stephen | Grogan, John |
| Cairns, David | Hain, rh Peter |
| Campbell, Alan (Tynemouth) | Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale) |
| Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) | Hall, Patrick (Bedford) |
| Caplin, Ivor | Hamilton, David (Midlothian) |
| Casale, Roger | Hamilton, Fabian (Leeds NE) |
| Caton, Martin | Hanson, David |
| Cawsey, Ian (Brigg) | Harris, Tom (Glasgow Cathcart) |
| Challen, Colin | Havard, Dai (Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney) |
| Chapman, Ben (Wirral S) | |
| Chaytor, David | Healey, John |
| Clark, Mrs Helen (Peterborough) | Henderson, Ivan (Harwich) |
| Clark, Paul (Gillingham) | Hendrick, Mark |
| Clarke, rh Tom (Coatbridge & Chryston) | Hermon, Lady |
| Hesford, Stephen | |
| Clarke, Tony (Northampton S) | Heyes, David |
| Clelland, David | Hill, Keith (Streatham) |
| Clwyd, Ann (Cynon V) | Hoey, Kate (Vauxhall) |
| Coaker, Vernon | Hope, Phil (Corby) |
| Coffey, Ms Ann | Hoyle, Lindsay |
| Cohen, Harry | Hughes, Beverley (Stretford & Urmston) |
| Colman, Tony | |
| Connarty, Michael | Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) |
| Cook, rh Robin (Livingston) | Humble, Mrs Joan |
| Cooper, Yvette | Hurst, Alan (Braintree) |
| Corston, Jean | Hutton, rh John |
| Cousins, Jim | Iddon, Dr. Brian |
| Cox, Tom (Tooting) | Illsley, Eric |
| Crausby, David | Irranca-Davies, Huw |
| Cruddas, Jon | Jackson, Glenda (Hampstead & Highgate) |
| Cryer, Mrs Ann (Keighley) | |
| Cummings, John | Jamieson, David |
| Cunningham, Tony (Workington) | Jenkins, Brian |
| Davey, Valerie (Bristol W) | Johnson, Miss Melanie (Welwyn Hatfield) |
| David, Wayne | |
| Davidson, Ian | Jones, Helen (Warrington N) |
| Davies, rh Denzil (Llanelli) | Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C) |
| Davies, Geraint (Croydon C) | Jones, Kevan (N Durham) |
| Davis, rh Terry (B'ham Hodge H) | Jones, Martyn (Clwyd S) |
| Dean, Mrs Janet | Joyce, Eric (Falkirk W) |
| Denham, rh John | Keeble, Ms Sally |
| Dhanda, Parmjit | Keen, Alan (Feltham) |
| Dismore, Andrew | Keen, Ann (Brentford) |
| Djanogly, Jonathan | Khabra, Piara S. |
| Dodds, Nigel | Kidney, David |
| Kilfoyle, Peter | Pound, Stephen |
| King, Andy (Rugby) | Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E) |
| King, Ms Oona (Bethnal Green & Bow) | |
| Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) | |
| Kirkbride, Miss Julie | Primarolo, rh Dawn |
| Knight, Jim (S Dorset) | Prosser, Gwyn |
| Kumar, Dr. Ashok | Purchase, Ken |
| Ladyman, Dr. Stephen | Purnell, James |
| Lammy, David | Quin, rh Joyce |
| Lawrence, Mrs Jackie | Rammell, Bill |
| Laxton, Bob (Derby N) | Rapson, Syd (Portsmouth N) |
| Lazarowicz, Mark | Redwood, rh John |
| Lepper, David | Reed, Andy (Loughborough) |
| Levitt, Tom (High Peak) | Reid, rh Dr. John (Hamilton N & Bellshill) |
| Lewis, Ivan (Bury S) | |
| Love Andrew | Robertson, John (Glasgow Anniesland) |
| Lucas, Ian (Wrexham) | |
| Lyons, John (Strathkelvin) | Robinson, Geoffrey (Coventry NW) |
| Lyons, John (Strathkelvin) | |
| McAvoy, Thomas | Robinson, Mrs Iris (Strangford) |
| McCabe, Stephen | Rooney, Terry |
| McCafferty, Chris | Ross, Ernie (Dundee W) |
| McDonagh, Siobhain | Roy, Frank (Motherwell) |
| MacDonald, Calum | Ruane, Chris |
| MacDougall, John | Russell, Ms Christine (City of Chester) |
| McFall, John | |
| McIsaac, Shona | Ryan, Joan (Enfield N) |
| MacKay, rh Andrew | Salter, Martin |
| McKechin, Ann | Savidge, Malcolm |
| McKenna, Rosemary | Sawford, Phil |
| Mackinlay, Andrew | Sedgemore, Brian |
| McNulty, Tony | Shaw, Jonathan |
| MacShane, Denis | Sheridan, Jim |
| Mactaggart, Fiona | Simon, Siôn (B'ham Erdington) |
| McWilliam, John | Smith, rh Andrew (Oxford E) |
| Mahmood, Khalid | Smith, Geraldine (Morecambe & Lunesdale) |
| Mallaber, Judy | |
| Mandelson, rh Peter | Smith, Jacqui (Redditch) |
| Mann, John (Bassetlaw) | Soley, Clive |
| Marris, Rob (Wolverh'ton SW) | Southworth, Helen |
| Spellar, rh John | |
| Marsden, Gordon (Blackpool S) | Squire, Rachel |
| Marshall, David (Glasgow Shettleston) | Steinberg, Gerry |
| Stevenson, George | |
| Martlew, Eric | Stewart, David (Inverness E & Lochaber) |
| Miliband, David | |
| Miller, Andrew | Stewart, Ian (Eccles) |
| Moffatt, Laura | Stoate, Dr. Howard |
| Mole, Chris | Strang, rh Dr. Gavin |
| Moonie, Dr. Lewis | Stuart, Ms Gisela |
| Moran, Margaret | Tami, Mark (Alyn) |
| Mountford, Kali | Taylor, Dari (Stockton S) |
| Mudie, George | Taylor, David (NW Leics) |
| Mullin, Chris | Thomas, Gareth (Clwyd W) |
| Munn, Ms Meg | Thomas, Gareth (Harrow W) |
| Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck) | Tipping, Paddy |
| Murphy, Jim (Eastwood) | Todd, Mark (S Derbyshire) |
| Murphy, rh Paul (Torfaen) | Touhig, Don (Islwyn) |
| Naysmith, Dr. Doug | Trickett, Jon |
| Norman, Archie | Truswell, Paul |
| Norris, Dan (Wansdyke) | Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE) |
| Olner, Bill | Turner, Dr. Desmond (Brighton Kemptown) |
| O'Neill, Martin | |
| Organ, Diana | Twigg, Derek (Halton) |
| Osborne, Sandra (Ayr) | Tynan, Bill (Hamilton S) |
| Tyrie, Andrew | |
| Owen, Albert | Walley, Ms Joan |
| Palmer, Dr. Nick | Wareing, Robert N. |
| Perham, Linda | Watson, Tom (W Bromwich E) |
| Picking, Anne | White, Brian |
| Pickthall, Colin | Whitehead, Dr. Alan |
| Pike, Peter (Burnley) | Williams, Mrs Betty (Conwy) |
| Plaskitt, James | Winnick, David |
| Pollard, Kerry | Winterton, Ms Rosie (Doncaster C) |
| Pond, Chris (Gravesham) | |
| Pope, Greg (Hyndburn) | Woodward, Shaun |
| Woolas, Phil | Wright, Tony (Cannock) |
| Wright, Anthony D. (Gt Yarmouth) | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Mr. Fraser Kemp and | |
| Wright, David (Telford) | Mr. John Heppell |
§ Question accordingly negatived.
§ Lords amendment agreed to.
§ Lords amendments Nos. 54 to 131 agreed to.