HC Deb 02 May 1972 vol 836 cc120-1W
Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will state the value of computers exported to West Europe, Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth and the United States of America, respectively, for each of the last five years.

Mr. Noble:

Following are the details:

merger with Grand Metropolitan Hotels, the dates of such meetings, the names of all those present on each occasion, the means by which such meetings were arranged and the length of time between application for a meeting and the date of meeting;

(2) how many meetings have taken place between his Department and representatives of Grand Metropolitan Hotels concerning the proposed merger with Watney Mann; and whether such meetings took place before or after meetings between Watney Mann and his Department on this matter.

Mr. Noble:

It would be inappropriate to publish such details of the dealings between the Department and individual interested parties.

Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assurances have been given to Watney Mann Limited by his Department concerning the reference of the proposed merger with Grand Metropolitan Hotels to the Monopolies Commission; what discussions took place with the chairman of Watney Mann; and if it is his practice for such private conversations to take place before he exercises his judgment on the desirability of making a reference to the Monopolies Commission.

Mr. Noble:

Watney Mann Limited was informed yesterday that it was not intended to refer the proposed merger with Grand Metropolitan Hotels to the Monopolies Commission. Following normal practice confidential discussions were held with the parties to the bid and their advisers before this decision was reached.

Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, when refusing a request by the hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury on Tuesday, 29th February, 1972, for the reference of the proposed merger between I.D.V. Limited and Watney Mann to the Monopolies Commission, he was aware of the 1972 earnings forecast by Watney Mann of an increase in profits from £22.9 million to £28.5 million; and if he is satisfied that he was in possession of all the facts when making that decision.

Mr. Noble:

We were not then aware of this latest profits forecast which was published on 27th April. Knowledge of it would not have affected their earlier decision.