HC Deb 20 January 1986 vol 90 cc17-8W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any discussions took place between representatives of the Sultan of Brunei and his Department on the takeover of the House of Fraser; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard

No such discussions took place.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, pursuant to the answer of 16 January to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) his Department received any other representations apart from the request from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, seeking an extension of the period for the Monopolies amd Mergers Commission to report on the merger reference of Lonrho and House of Fraser; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard

The then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry received no other representations on the question of extension of the period for the MMC report.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information was available to his Department as to the interests of Mohammed Fayed or representatives of the Sultan of Brunei in the takeover of the House of Fraser before his predecessor's statement on the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the matter; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard

The then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 14 March 1985 that on the information before him he had decided not to refer the proposed acquisition of House of Fraser by Alfayed Investment Holdings plc to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It is the normal practice to treat as confidential representations on merger matters.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will seek the permission of Mr. R. W. Rowland, chief executive of Lonrho, to publish in the Official Report the letter to him from Mr. Rowland of December 1985 regarding the takeover of the House of Fraser; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will publish in the Official Report his reply to the letter he received in December 1985 from Mr. R. W. Rowland, chief executive of Lonrho, regarding the takeover of the House of Fraser; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard

I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.