§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will accept the recommendations of the Competition Commission's report into the acquisition of Cable & Wireless Communications cable business by NTL; to what extent he will be guided in his decision by representations made outside the Competition Commission process; and if he will make a statement. [115244]
§ Dr. HowellsMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will publish the Competition Commission's report into the acquisition by NTI., Incorporated of the cable business of Cable & Wireless Communications as soon as is reasonably practical. In publishing the report he may comment on it.
If the report finds that the merger may be expected not to operate against the public interest, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will have no power to take any action in respect of the merger.
If the report finds that the merger may be expected to operate against the public interest, then the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) will advise the Secretary of State on the report. The DGFT's advice will also consider any representations that may have been made subsequent to the CC's report. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will decide on his response to the merger in the light of the CC's report and the DGFT's advice, taking into account any matters which he considers relevant.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he received from(a) BSkyB and (b) News International with regard to the acquisition of Cable & Wireless Communications cable business by NTL (i) before and (ii) subsequent to his receipt of the Competition Commission's report on this subject. [115213]
§ Dr. HowellsI do not think it appropriate in general to disclose either the identity of those who make representations on cases or the substance of their views.420W This allows interested parties to comment freely without concern that their comments might then be disclosed, which could prejudice the future supply of information.