§ Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the effect on competition in the provision of defence electronic equipment of the proposed takeover of the Plessey Company by GEC; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what changes he envisages in his Department's procurement policy if the proposed takeover of the Plessey Company by GEC proceeds;
(3) if his Department expects to put out more contracts to foreign suppliers in order to maintain competitive tendering in the defence field if the Plessey Company is taken over by GEC.
(4) what effect the proposed takeover of the Plessey Company by GEC will have on research and development in the defence field.
§ Mr. LeeMy Department, as a major customer of both GEC and Plessey, has given evidence to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the proposed merger of GEC and Plessey. The commission has recently reported its findings to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who will publish the report in due course. It would be inappropriate to comment further on these matters at this stage.
§ Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what percentage of land tactical communications systems are currently supplied to his Department by Plessey Company and GEC;
(2) what percentage of naval communications equipment is currently supplied to his Department by Plessey Company and GEC.
§ Mr. LeeIt is not our practice to release information of this sort for reasons of commercial confidentiality. The Monopolies and Megers Commission has submitted its report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The commission has a duty to take into account all circumstances relevant to a merger of which market shares might be one aspect. My right hon. Friend is considering the commission's report and will be making a statement as soon as is practicable.