§ Mr. SwireTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what research her Department has undertaken to evaluate the effect the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines would have on competition in the north Atlantic market place; and if she will publish the conclusions of such research; [17282]
(2) what her policy is on the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines. [17281]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonAnalysis of the effects of the proposed alliance on competition is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading, who, as the UK's independent competition authority, has the final decision making powers in such cases.
Publication of such analysis is also a matter for the Director General.
Responsibility for deciding on the competition issues raised by the proposed alliance also lies with the Director General of Fair Trading.