§ 25. Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors other than the need for competition he takes into account in deciding whether a proposed takeover or merger might act against the public interest or whether to refer any such case to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
§ Mr. FletcherIn making decisions on merger references to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the Secretary of State takes into account the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading and all relevant information available to him. It is for the commission to determine once a reference has been made, whether a merger might be expected to operate against the public interest.