HC Deb 24 July 1987 vol 120 cc553-4W
Mr. Aspinwall

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those mergers or acquisitions within the retail grocery sector notified to his Department in the last five years which were not subsequently referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

Mr. Maude

This information is not readily available. I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Mr. Aspinwall

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the total number of referrals made to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in the last five years concerning mergers and acquisitions within the retail grocery sector, together with the Commission's recommendations.

Mr. Maude

In the last five years two merger proposals involving companies in the retail grocery sector have been referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission: the proposed acquisition of Linfood Holdings PLC by Fitch Lovell PLC (referred 2 November 1982) and the proposed acquisition of Booker McConnell PLC by the Dee Corporation PLC (referred 21 June 1984). In both cases the Monopolies and Mergers Commission concluded that the proposals would not operate against the public interest.

Mr. Aspinwall

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the total number of independent retail grocery businesses that have closed down in (a) the last 10 years and (b) the most recent year for which figures are available.

Mr. Butcher

Data available from the retailing inquiries conducted by the Business Statistics Office suggest that the number of single outlet grocery retailers fell by(a) about 25,000 businesses between 1976 and 1984 and (b) 6,000 businesses between 1982 and 1984.

Mr. Aspinwall

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish information available to him on the percentage share of the retail grocery sector during each of the last 10 years, and for the latest date for which figures are available of (a) major multiples, (b) other multiples, (c) independent stores and (d) co-operatives.

Mr. Alan Clark

I shall write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.