HC Deb 09 July 1987 vol 119 cc268-70W
Mr. Fisher

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at what time, and on what day, News International Ltd. and Lonrho Ltd. deposited with his Department the financial and other information necessary for him to consider his responsibilities under section 58 of the Fair Trading Act 1973.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Letters from News International Ltd. and Lonrho plc. were received by my officials at approximately 4.45 pm on 30 June and on behalf of News International Ltd. at approximately 11 am on 1 July. Further information was provided at a meeting between my officials and representatives of Lonrho plc. News (UK) Ltd. and its auditors at 11.30 am on 1 July, and shortly thereafter they supplied some additional information. What was important to the Secretary of State in reaching his decision was the nature to the information provided, not its timing.

Mr. Fisher

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at what time, and on what day, he met representatives of (a) Lonrho Ltd. and (b) News International Ltd. to discuss the financial background to the takeover of the Today newspaper.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Neither the Secretary of State nor I personally met representatives of either Lonrho plc. or News International Ltd. at any time on any day to discuss the financial background to the takeover of theToday newspaper.

Mr. Fisher

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will deposit in the Library a memorandum of the financial and other material upon which he formed his judgment not to refer the takeover of the Today newspaper to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I will deposit in the Library such material as can be made available subject to the normal limits of commercial confidentiality and the requirements of the Fair Trading Act 1973.