§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects a decision to be made on whether to refer the merger of Lloyds bank and the Trustees Savings bank to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he make a statement. [40948]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansThe Director General of Fair Trading is currently considering the proposed merger and will advise my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in due course. A decision on whether or not it should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission will be taken once that advice is received.