§ Dr. HowellsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy in respect of receiving representations directly from the parties to a proposed merger which has been referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in advance of the publication of the commission's report and his final decision; and if he will make a statement. [13296]
Mr. John M. Taylor[holding answer 29 January 1997]: It is the task of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to conduct a detailed and thorough investigation of any merger which has been referred to it. Accordingly, the policy of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is not himself to receive representations from the parties to mergers prior to announcing his decision on the MMC's report and publishing it. While the report remains confidential, it would be inappropriate for Ministers' views to be influenced, or appear to be influenced, by lobbying by any particular interest. During an MMC inquiry, the parties are encouraged to make representations to the MMC and any representations received by the Department are forwarded to the MMC for their consideration. After the MMC's report is received, representations from the parties on the content of the report are not, except in exceptional circumstances, seen by a Minister until after the decision on the report is made.