§ 33. Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy on company mergers in the light of recent merger activity.
§ Mr. HowardRecent merger activity has demonstrated the effectiveness of the policy on merger references, announced by the then Secretary of State in July 1984. The policy remains to make references primarily on competition grounds. In evaluating the competitive situation in individual cases, the Secretary of State will have regard to the international context, to the extent of competition in the home market from non-United Kingdom sources, and to the competitive position of United Kingdom companies in overseas markets.