§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the implications for his regional policies of the proposed sale of Duolite International Limited of Talbot Green, Mid Glamorgan.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI have received one representation—from the South Wales region of the Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Wales what action he proposes to take, in view of the proposed sale of Duolite International Limited, to prevent job losses.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsIt has been made very clear to both the Diamond Shamrock Corporation and Rohm and Hass that my Department stands ready to consider sympathetically any proposal to sustain and develop a viable plant at Pontyclun. I have discussed this matter fully with a senior representative of Diamond Shamrock. Although I was very sorry indeed to learn of the decision to close the Pontyclun unit, ultimately Government cannot impose their own judgment in commercial matters such as this.
I understand that consideration is being given to whether the sale of the Duolite business to Rohm and Hass may constitute a merger qualifying for reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under the merger provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973.