Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many days he has allowed for consultation between the date of the announcement of the proposed takeover of Century Newspapers Ltd., Belfast, by Thompson Regional Newspapers and the date when the submissions must be received by him before a decision on referral to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, what is the normal period for such consultation; and whether he has received any representations from the National Graphical Association and the National Union of Journalists about the possibility of a monopoly of newspaper ownership being created in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Maude[holding answer 16 January 1989]On 10 January my Department issued a press notice inviting comments on the proposal by 17 January. The Department's procedures for a formal consultation period were introduced in October 1988. This is the fist application for consent to a newspaper merger under the financial urgency provisions received since then. I have received seven representations on the proposal including a full submission from the National Graphical Association.