§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to review the competition implications of the arrangement between Deloitte & Touche and Andersens UK in the accounting industry; if she intends to make a reference to the competition authorities; and if she will make a statement. [50499]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 17 April 2002]: Any proposed merger which meets the qualifying threshold would be considered by the European Commission under the European Community Merger Regulation. The parties concerned have not yet made a formal notification to the Commission.
As Ministers have a role in the regulatory process for considering mergers it is not appropriate to make a statement about the proposed merger.