§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, pursuant to his reply of 1 July, Official Report, column 92, he has had any discussions or contact with Thomson since its purchase of Ferguson; and what information he has on Ferguson's current share of the market for television (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. ButcherNeither my right hon. and learned Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, nor I have been in contact with Thomson Grand Public since the announcement of its proposed acquisition of Thorn EM I Ferguson. Information collected by my Department about the market share of individual companies is commercially confidential. However, the proposed acquisition would qualify for consideration under the Fair Trading Act 1973, and the Director General of Fair Trading will no doubt take account of market share considerations in advising my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, on the question of a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.