§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received from British 567W industry about the proposed merger between Price Waterhouse and Coopers and Lybrand; and if she will make a statement. [36241]
§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 30 March 1998]: My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has received a number of letters from British companies about competition issues relating to the proposed merger, which were considered by the UK authorities in formulating the UK's comments to the European competition authorities.
§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment she has made of the implications for competitive choice in the auditing field of the proposed merger between Price Waterhouse and Coopers and Lybrand; [36240]
(2) what assessment she has made of the level of independent auditing capacity available to British financial institutions following a Price Waterhouse and Coopers and Lybrand merger. [36242]
§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 30 March 1998]: The proposed merger between Price Waterhouse and Coopers and Lybrand is being considered by the European competition authorities. Member States have a formal role in EC competition investigations. Disclosure by the UK of its views or of the results of any work undertaken by the UK authorities would compromise the effectiveness and integrity of that investigation.