HC Deb 19 January 1999 vol 323 c394W
Mr. Corbett

To ask the Prime Minister what is the current composition of the Ministerial Group on the Restructuring of the European Aerospace and Defence Industry (MISC 5). [66847]

The Prime Minister

As the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry may have to take decisions under the competition legislation on the proposed merger which BAe and GEC have announced in principle, I have decided that, while these issues are under consideration, it would be preferable for the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry not to participate in the work of MISC 5 in order to avoid any risk of it appearing that he had prejudged the issues involved. I have therefore appointed the Secretary of State for Defence as the Chairman of the Ministerial Group. The DTI will continue to be represented by the Minister for Energy and Industry.

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