Clause 7. — (Application of General Provisions About Mergers.)

Part of Orders of the Day — Monopolies and Mergers Bill – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 2 August 1965.

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Photo of Sir Peter Emery Sir Peter Emery , Reading 12:00, 2 August 1965

The right hon. Gentleman was right to say that during the proceedings on the Bill we had considerable discussion about criteria, or "gateways" or possible directions by the Board of Trade to the Monopolies Commission on the way in which to deal with relevant facts which might arise. I am quite clear about what I would regard as being the criteria or gateways which might be necessary or which might arise, but one thing we have not had from the Board of Trade—and I am not now trying to be difficult—is what it regards as necessary. We do not have any idea of the criteria or gateways which the Board of Trade has in mind.

Before we pass from the Amendments, therefore, I hope that the right hon. Gentleman can tell the House what criteria or gateways he has in mind, because we should very much like to know what the Government have in mind and what they envisage as being possibly necessary and being the sort of cases in which these powers would be used.