§ Mr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Office of Fair Trading began its investigation into the planned GEC acquisition of Ferranti Defence Systems; and when it hopes to report.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe Director General of Fair Trading has submitted his recommendation on the merger to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who announced on 9 February 1990 that he has decided, in accordance with the director general's recommendation, not to refer the proposed acquisition by the General Electric Company plc of Ferranti Defence Systems Group and of Ferranti International plc's interests in Ferranti Italia SRL to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.