§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is regarding the repatriation of the consideration of competition issues arising from the sale of Hyder plc. [129031]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 4 July 2000]: The Director General of Fair Trading advises this Department on the competition issues raised in cases that have fallen to the EC Merger Regulation. The Secretary of State will assess whether Western Power Distribution Limited's proposed acquisition of Hyder Plc meets the tests laid down in the EC Merger Regulation by which member states can request referral of cases from the Commission and whether to request such a referral in the light of the DGFT' s advice.