§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reference he has made to the Office of Fair Trading concerning BSkyB's bid for Manchester United; and if he will make a statement. [57514]
§ Dr. HowellsMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 29 October that he had decided, in accordance with the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading, to refer the proposed acquisition of Manchester United plc by British Sky Broadcasting Group plc to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many representations he has received from(a) the public and (b) institutions concerning BSkyB's proposed takeover of Manchester United. [57516]
§ Dr. HowellsMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received some 200 representations and petitions concerning BSkyB's proposed acquisition of Manchester United. The great majority of these were from individual members of the public.