§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now refer the proposed take over of Plesseys by the General Electric Company to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Howard[pursuant to his reply, 20 January 1986., c. 15]: The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 20 January 1986 that he had decided, in accordance with the recommendation of the Director General of Fair Trading, to refer the proposed acquisition of Plessey Co. plc by GEC plc to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation. He considered that the proposal raised issues of competition which justified investigation by the Commission.