§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Director General of Fair Trading and the Monopolies and Mergers Commission about the purchase of the Atlas steel foundry in Armadale by William Cook plc.
§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 29 March 1990]: This purchase is at present being considered by the Director General of Fair Trading under the merger control provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973. He will advise the Secretary of State as soon as possible on the question of reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in the normal way. It would not be appropriate for me to take a view on the merits of the purchase or otherwise comment on it in advance of the director general's advice.