§ Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will take the necessary steps to stop the Lonrho take-over bid for Scottish & Universal Investments Limited; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John FraserMy right hon. Friend has power to prevent a merger only if he has first referred it to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation and the Commission has concluded that it may be expected to operate against the public interest. He will announce his decision on whether to make a reference in this case when he has received from the Director General of Fair Trading the advice on the proposed merger which the Director General is statutorily bound to give him under the Fair Trading Act 1973.