PROPOSED MERGER OF INTERBREW AND BASS

Early day motion 1047, tabled 26 July 2000 by Martyn Jones (Labour). Signed by 23 members.

That this House notes that the proposed merger between Interbrew and Bass will have a detrimental impact on the UK brewing industry in terms of job losses and reduction of choice to the consumer; further notes that the UK competition authorities with extensive experience in the UK beer sector will have no material role in the decision making process; and strongly calls for the DTI to request the European Commission to repatriate the matter to the UK and in particular the Office of Fair Trading under Article 9 of the EC Merger Regulation.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, Liberal Democrat 3, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.