HL Deb 19 January 1999 vol 596 cc93-4WA
Lord Orme

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the current composition of the Ministerial Group on the Restructuring of the European Aerospace and Defence Industry (MISC 5). [HL565]

The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)

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, the Prime Minister has 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. The Prime Minister has 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.