HC Deb 08 February 1999 vol 325 c43W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy on takeovers of sporting organisations by media organisations. [65634]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: The Director General of Fair Trading advises on mergers which qualify for investigation under the Fair Trading Act 1973. Where a merger raises concerns in respect of a particular market it can be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) for investigation. All cases are considered on their individual merits.

Mr. Paterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which papers relating to BSkyB' s takeover of Manchester United were brought to the attention of his predecessor, the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson); and what meetings his predecessor attended with(a) BSkyB and (b) Manchester United's management. [67287]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 27 January 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow), on 18 January 1999, Official Report,column 363,and to the reply to Question 65643 tabled by the Member for Buckingham, answered above.