§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to refer any takeover bid for Lyons Maid by Unilever to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
§ Mr. RedwoodIf such an offer is made it will be considered by the Director General of Fair Trading under the merger control provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 to determine whether it qualifies for reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. If it does qualify the Director General will advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on the question of reference. Each case is considered by the Director General and my right hon. Friend on its merits. The main criterion for my right hon. Friend in deciding whether or not to make a reference remains the possible effect of a merger on competition in the United Kingdom.