§ 33. Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to retain the ownership of the British car, aerospace and telecommunications industries in United Kingdom hands. [16469]
§ Mr. EggarThe Department's objective is to increase the competitiveness of businesses in Britain, regardless of their ownership. We welcome overseas investment in these as in other industries. Any acquisitions in these sectors from UK or foreign companies are treated in exactly the same way under the merger provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973.