§ Mr. GregoryTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will consider a reference to the Office of Fair Trading for possible anti-competitive practices if either of the two bids for Rowntree plc by Jacobs Suchard and Nestle Ltd. should succeed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudeThe Director General of Fair Trading has a duty under the Fair Trading Act 1973 to advise my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether a merger qualifying under the Act should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers commission for further investigation. My right hon. and noble Friend will make his decision whether to refer qualifying merger proposals, or mergers, involving Rowntree in the light of the director general's advice.