§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from(a) Glaxo Wellcome, (b) SmithKline Beecham and (c) other drug companies about the proposed merger between Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham. [106144]
§ Dr. HowellsThis Department has received one representation on the proposed merger. It is not our policy to disclose the identity of those who make representations on cases so that interested parties may comment freely without any concern that their comments might then be disclosed. Any such representations are forwarded to the Director General of Fair Trading who will take them into account in his advice to this Department on the case.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the likely impact of the merger of SmithKline Beecham and Glaxo Wellcome on(a) the price and availability of (i) prescription and (ii) nonprescription medicines and (b) competition among health service suppliers. [106145]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Director General of Fair Trading will consult interested parties about the proposed merger and will advise this Department on the case in due course. His advice will take into account any comments on these issues that he has received from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.