§ 22. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many merger proposals he has referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and how many he has not recommended to be examined so far this year; and how these figures compare with the equivalent period last year.
§ 25. Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many merger proposals he has referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and how many he has declined to refer since the beginning of the current year; and how these figures compare with those for the same period in 1980.
§ Mr. BiffenIn the period 1 January to 3 April this year, four proposed mergers were referred to the Commission; and I decided not to refer 29 mergers qualifying for reference. Comparable figures for the same period of 1980 were two and 50. Under the separate provisions governing newspaper transfers, one qualifying newspaper transfer has been referred to the Commission so far this year and one has not. The comparable figures for the same period of 1980 were one and two.
§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he intends to make any references under section 11 of the Competition Act 1980.
§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he intends to make any references under section 11 of the Competition Act 1980.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimMy right hon. Friend intends to make further references in due course.