§ Mr. Fatchettasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ask the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to examine the current extent of competition in the United Kingdom in relation to the supply of military tanks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardI have no plans to make a reference. Monopoly references are normally a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading. Should the question of a qualifying merger arise, I would expect to be advised by the director general in the usual way on whether a reference should be made to the MMC.