§ Mr. Salmondasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, in view of the importance of the Clydesdale bank to the Scottish financial sector and the Scottish economy as a whole, he will refer its sale to the National Australia bank to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation.
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§ Mr. MaudeThe proposed sale of the Clydesdale bank to the National Australia bank is being considered by the Director General of Fair Trading, who is responsible for advising my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the question of reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It would not be appropriate for me to prejudge the Director General's advice by commenting further at this point.