§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if in conducting his review of monopolies and mergers policy, he will consider whether companies mounting takeover bids should be prohibited from offering for public sale subsidiaries of their targets.
§ Mr. HowardIn assessing whether a merger or merger proposal should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for further investigation the Director General of Fair Trading and, subsequently, my right hon. Friend, take into account all aspects of the merger, including any future plans of the parties such as disposals. Each case is considered individually, on its own merits, and there is no presumption that such proposals are objectionable.