§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) how many proposals for mergers of building societies since 1970 have fallen within the scope of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission;
(2) how many merger proposals have been referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission since 1970; and how many references concern building societies.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimSince the beginning of 1970, 53 merger references, including eight references on newspaper transfers have bean made to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. None has concerned building societies. In the same period 45 merger proposals involving building societies have qualified for reference within the terms of the legislation.