§ Mr. RammellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will ensure that local and national consumer organisations have an opportunity to make representations in the event of a bid for the Energy Group pic and Eastern Electricity by(a) Nomura International and/or (b) Texas Utilities. [29496]
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsNomura International stated publicly on 10 February that it had withdrawn from talks with The Energy Group. Following Nomura International's announcement, Texas Utilities stated publicly that it continued to be in talks with The Energy Group which may lead to an offer. In the event of a bid which qualified for consideration under the Fair Trading Act 1973, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade would decide, in the light of the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) and the views of the Director General of Electricity Supply (DGES), whether or not to refer the merger to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC). The DGFT and DGES would, in formulating their advice and views, take account of any third party representations, including any representations they received from consumer organisations.