BSKYB TAKEOVER OF MANCHESTER UNITED PLC

Early day motion 1675, tabled 21 October 1998 by Terry Lewis (Labour). Signed by 149 members.

That this House objects to the agreement where BSkyB Television will purchase Manchester United Plc; feels that this will create a unacceptable situation where BSkyB becomes both the biggest purchaser of televised football and also the owner of Europe's largest football club; is certain that this is not in the best public interest of fans, clubs or television viewers and sport in general; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to refer the proposed takeover to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in addition to setting up a full inquiry into the funding of football by television, in all its aspects.

Signatures by party: Labour 102, Liberal Democrat 20, Conservative 15, Labour/Co-operative 7, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent 1, UUP 1, Unknown 1.