HL Deb 06 June 1988 vol 497 cc1226-7WA
Lord Gray of Contin

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In what circumstances they are prepared to take account of lack of reciprocity in deciding whether to refer hostile bids to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

Lord Young of Graffham

In considering whether a merger or proposed merger should be referred to the Monoplies and Mergers Commission, both the Director General of Fair Trading and the Secretary of State take into account all relevant aspects of that case.

One consideration which may be relevant in some cases is the extent to which UK companies have reciprocal freedom to acquire companies based in the home country of the prospective acquirer, but it is not possible to specify in advance the circumstances in which this consideration might arise.