§ Sir Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implications for competition in the retailing industry of the current incidence of takeovers and mergers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FletcherA number of mergers have arisen recently in the retailing sector. My right hon. Friend considers each case on its merits in accordance with the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 and in the light of his policy of making references to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission primarily on competition grounds.