HL Deb 10 April 1989 vol 506 c120WA
Lord Mulley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the light of recent seemingly conflicting decisions, whether they will clarify their criteria for determining the public interest, and their competition policy, as a guide for future take-over bids.

Lord Strathclyde

The Government's policy in respect of the control of merger activity remains as set out in the report of a review of law and policy on merger control which was published on 3rd March 1988. This review concluded that the effect of a merger on competition in the U.K. should continue to be the main criterion in deciding whether a merger should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.