§ Mr. Rymanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons he decided to refuse to refer the bid by Hanson Trust for Imperial Tobacco to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
§ Mr. HowardMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry considered that the proposal raised no competition or other public interest issues which would merit a reference.
§ Mr. Rymanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason he referred the bid by Imperial Tobacco for United Biscuits to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
§ Mr. HowardThe reference was made because my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for trade and Industry considered that the proposal raised sufficiently serious questions about its impact on competition as to deserve further investigation by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
§ Mr. Rymanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account he took, when deciding whether to refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the bids for Imperial Tobacco by the Hanson Trust and for United 84W Biscuits by Imperial Tobacco respectively, of the implications of his decision in each case for his decision in the other; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardIn making each decision, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State took account of the existence of the other bid.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many representations he has received seeking reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission of Hanson Trust's takeover bid for the Imperial Group; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have received 25 written representations in favour of such a reference. The decision not to refer took full account of these representations.