§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has received the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission into the promotion by the BBC of its publications on air; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is currently considering the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the236W publicising, in the course of providing a television broadcasting service, of goods supplied by the broadcaster, which he received on 19 June. The report will be published as soon as is practicable. The contents of all MMC reports remain confidential until publication. If the MMC finds no adverse effects, my right hon. Friend has no power to act. If the MMC has reached any adverse findings, he will decide what steps, if any, should be taken to remedy the situation.