§ Mr. Litherlandasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the recent takeover of Manchester Steel Co. Ltd. by Allied Steel and Wire.
§ Mr. FletcherMy right hon. Friend will announce his decision as soon as practicable. However, his powers in this case are limited because the steel products concerned are covered by the Treaty of Paris, which gives the European Commission competence on economic and competition issues.