§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will refer the bid by Hoylake for BAT Industries to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe bid by Hoylake for BAT is currently under consideration by the Director General of Fair Trading, who will advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the normal way on whether the proposed acquisition should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It would be inappropriate to comment on this case in advance of the director general's advice.