§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the effect of current takeover bids in the pub trade on the United Kingdom brewing industry. [89971]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 6 July 1999]: Where a merger qualifies for investigation under the Fair Trading Act 1973, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry decides, in the light of the independent advice of the Director General of Fair Trading, whether or not to refer the merger to the Competition Commission for investigation. All cases are considered on their individual merits.