§ Mr. DykesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what conclusions he has reached in his discussions with(a)the Rail Regulator and (b) the Department of Trade and Industry in respect of a referral of the proposed takeover of Porterbook Leasing plc by the Stagecoach Group plc and its subsidiaries. [40990]
Mr. John M. TaylorMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is considering the advice received from the Director General of Fair Trading on this takeover under the merger provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973. He will announce his decisions in due course on whether or not to refer it to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.