HC Deb 16 May 1990 vol 172 c447W
35. Mr. Maxton

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate a review of monopolies and mergers legislation.

44. Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate a review of monopolies and mergers legislation.

Mr. Redwood

We have recently implemented the conclusions of our review of mergers policy, which were published in 1988. As we said in our White Paper, "Opening Markets: New Policy on Restrictive Trade Practices", Cm. 727, we are currently reviewing the provisions in the Fair Trading Act 1973 and Competition Act 1980 dealing with the position of the individual, anti-competitive firm.

58. Mr. Barron

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the directors of the Office of Fair Trading to discuss monopolies and mergers.

92. Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the directors of the Office of Fair Trading to discuss monopolies and mergers.

Mr. Redwood

My right hon. Friend and I met the Director General of Fair Trading on 2 April. There are no further meetings currently planned with Ministers in this Department.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will visit the state of Massachusetts to study its regulatory system for mergers and takeovers.

Mr. Redwood

[holding answer 14 May 1990]: Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have current plans to visit the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.