Written question asked by Charles Morrison (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 April 1991. It was answered by Lord Redwood (Conservative) on Monday, 15 April 1991 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Written question

Question: Whether he will make it his policy to take into account the level of gearing by Coats Viyella plc in mounting its bid for Tootal Group plc before reaching a decision on whether to allow this bid to proceed; & what assessments he has made of relative level of gearing of a merged company consisting of Coats Viyella plc & Tootal Group plc if the current bid for Tootal Group is successful as against that which would have obtained if the two companies had merged by agreement in 1989; & what weight he will give to this in deciding whether to allow the bid to proceed.

Secondary information