§ Mr. CollinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will refer the proposed sale by Whitbread plc of the freehold in its public houses to the Competition Commission; [142390]
(2) if he will discuss the impact of the proposed sale by Whitbread plc of the freehold of its public houses with board members of that company. [142389]
§ Dr. HowellsWhitbread's announcement of its intention to sell its public houses reflects a commercial decision by the company. It would not be appropriate for the Government to seek to influence that decision. In the event that the sale qualified for investigation under the Fair Trading Act 1973, it would be for the Director General of Fair Trading to advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether or not it should be referred to the Competition Commission.