HC Deb 13 May 1996 vol 277 cc329-30W
Dame Peggy Fenner

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will maintain the legal undertakings given by General Utilities plc to the then President of Board of Trade in March 1991 regarding its interests in Mid-Kent Holdings. [29155]

Mr. John M. Taylor

General Utilities gave undertakings to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 21 March 1991. Since then, no decision has been made to vary the undertakings or to release General Utilities from them. The undertakings therefore remain legally binding.

Mr. Rowe

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effects on the Government's competition policy of the judgment of Mr. Justice Knox in the Chancery Division of the High Court in the case of Mid-Kent Holdings plc delivered on 30 April; and if he will make a statement. [29007]

Mr. Taylor

I will study carefully the judgment given by Mr. Justice Knox in the above case. It would, however, be inappropriate for me to give a view on whether and to what extent the Government's competition policy affected this judgment.