§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the sale by Southern Water of its stakes in(a) Eastbourne Water, (b) Mid-Sussex Water and (c) West Kent Water companies to the French company Saur Water Services.
§ Mr. RedwoodNo; before the sale by Southern Water plc, SAUR Water Services plc already had a controlling interest in the three companies. A merger situation within the terms of the legislation did not arise from the sale.