HC Deb 05 March 1970 vol 797 c153W
74. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity on what criteria she referred the case of the Laporte Industries merger with Burmah Oil Company to the Monopolies Commission forthwith, whereas in the case of the International Publishing Company and Reed proposed merger, alter weeks of consideration, no action was taken thereon.

Mr. Dell

In the case of the Reed/I.P.C. merger, the Government were able to identify the probable causes for concern and to seek appropriate undertakings from the Reed Group to deal with them. In the case of the Burmah/Laporte merger, there appeared to be important issues which could not be resolved without an examination by the Monopolies Commission. As the reference is now before the commission, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.