§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the milk processing industry on(a) prices and (b) profitability in that industry. [139600]
§ Mr. SutcliffeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has had no recent discussions with representatives of the milk processing industry on prices and profitability.
743W
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to investigate the implementing of further merger activity in the milk processing industry. [139601]
§ Mr. SutcliffeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has no such plans. With the coming into force of the Enterprise Act on 20 June 2003, decisions on new merger situations are taken by the independent competition authorities, not Ministers.