HC Deb 04 December 2002 vol 395 cc841-2W
Dr. Ian Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Competition Commission has to investigate the sale of Norwich Airport. [85450]

Miss Melanie Johnson

Under the Fair Trading Act 1973 a merger qualifies for investigation if it creates or enhances a 25 per cent, share of supply in the UK or a substantial part of the UK, or if the gross value of the world-wide assets being taken over is more than 70 million.

In the first instance it is for the Director General of Fair Trading to advise Ministers on whether or not a qualifying merger should be referred to the Competition Commission.