§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what statutory powers the Monopolies Commission possesses to investigate the activities of multinational conglomerates 375W such as Lonrho, which may not dominate a particular section of the market but could exercise influence within the economy through a diverse multiplicity of holdings.
§ Mr. John FraserThe Monopolies and Mergers Commission, in addition to investigating monopoly situations referred to it, has a duty to investigate any merger situations qualifying for investigation under the Fair Trading Act 1973 which I may refer to it. These can include any merger situation where the value of assets taken over exceeds £5 million.