§ 37. Dr. Brayasked the Minister for Trade whether he will introduce legislation to give him powers to prevent the takeover of viable independent Scottish-based companies by financial conglomerates based elsewhere.
§ Dr. VaughanNo. Under the Fair Trading Act 1973, each qualifying merger is considered on its merits; and there is a requirement that the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, in determining whether any merger referred to is against the public interest, shall take into account all matters that appear to it to be relevant.