§ Q8. Mr. Hefferasked the Prime Minister if he will define the Government's policy towards mergers and monopolisation of the Press; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterTo protect the public interest. Thus, mergers which would result in a significant concentration in the ownership of newspapers require the written consent of the Board of Trade. Such consent is given or withheld only after careful consideration of all the 151W implications and, in major cases, after a full investigation by the Monopolies Commission.