§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will take steps to strengthen the Monopolies Commission; if she will consider introducing legislation to give the Commission powers to control mergers and takeovers; and if she will take steps to ensure that the interests of those working in the industries are also safeguarded through participation in negotiations.
§ Mr. DellMy Department already has powers under the Monopolies and Mergers Act, 1965, to submit mergers and takeovers to the Monopolies Commission; and my right hon. Friend will be proposing to retain these in the Bill that she will shortly be introducing to merge the functions of the Monopolies Commission and the National Board for Prices and Incomes into a Commission for Industry and Manpower. In carrying out their function under the 1965 Act, my Department is keeping a special watch on merger situations that might give rise to difficulties for employees, and the forthcoming Industrial Relations Bill will410W include measures that will help to extend the participation of employees, through collective bargaining, in managerial decisions.