HC Deb 24 March 1998 vol 309 cc112-3W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will introduce additional controls on the mergers of supermarket companies; and if she will make a statement. [35947]

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

Where a merger falls to be considered under the Fair Trading Act 1973, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will decide, in the light of the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading, whether or not to refer it to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. My right hon. Friend has said that she will refer mergers primarily on competition grounds. Each case is considered on its merits.