HC Deb 20 June 1990 vol 174 c581W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on an inquiry involving oral evidence on 5 June from Mr. Nigel Harris of the AUEW, Mr. Alan Harris, Mr. Bill Menzies and the hon. Member for Linlithgow.

Mr. Ridley

I expect to receive the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report by 3 August.

30. Mr. Skinner

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many takeover bids have been referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

Since 1979, 104 merger situations qualifying for investigation under the merger provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973, and three merger situations between water enterprises qualifying for investigation under the provisions of the Water Act 1989, have been referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. In addition, there have been 14 references to the commission under the newspaper merger provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973.

42. Mr. Irvine

To ask the Secretary of State for trade and Industry if he will make a statement as to his policy, on referring acquisitions and mergers to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission against the recommendation of the Director General of Fair Trading.

Mr. Ridley

Under the Fair Trading Act 1973, the Director General of Fair Trading makes a recommendation to me as to whether a merger should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It is for me alone to decide whether or not to accept the director general's recommendation. I treat each case on its merits. However, in the vast majority of cases, I agree with the recommendation made by the director general.