§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he intends to refer the acquisition by European Ferries of P and O cross channel ferry operations to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
§ Mr. Alex FletcherThe acquistion is being considered by the Office of Fair Trading in accordance with the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973. Once the Director General of Fair Trading has submitted advice on whether the acquisition should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the Secretary of State will announce his decision as soon as practicable.