§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many continental companies within the EEC were acquired by British companies in the first six months of 1973; what was their value; what were the comparable figures for the preceding 10 half-year periods; and what are the corresponding figures for acquisitions of British companies in numbers and value by continental companies within the EEC during each of these periods.
§ Sir G. HoweThe information available on direct acquisitions reported in the financial Press is given in the table below:
marine distress signals being mistaken for fireworks and I do not consider that such consultations are necessary.