HL Deb 29 July 1998 vol 592 c209WA
Lord Jopling

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to refer the recent acquisition by Monsanto of Plant Breeding International Cambridge Ltd. to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. [HL3018]

Lord Simon of Highbury

If my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is advised by the Director General of Fair Trading that there is or may be a merger which qualifies for investigation under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 he will then decide in the light of advice from the Director General whether or not it should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation.