ACQUISITION OF CORALS BY LADBROKES

Early day motion 644, tabled 14 January 1998 by Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party). Signed by 64 members.

That this House is deeply concerned about the proposed acquisition of Corals by its main competitor in the British bookmaking markets, Ladbrokes; sees the takeover as not being in the public interest as it would establish a large monopoly in the betting industry in the United Kingdom, currently worth in excess of ú7 billion per annum; notes also that, if approved, such a buy-out would further restrict competition and consumer choice, particularly in local markets and create undesirable levels of financial interests in betting subsidiary services SIS and BAGS, thereby risking undue prominence in their decision making processes; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to immediately halt the sale by referring it to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

Signatures by party: Labour 56, Liberal Democrat 4, Labour/Co-operative 2, Scottish National Party 2.