Written question asked by Peter Fry (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 December 1996. It was answered by John M Taylor (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 December 1996 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: What assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed British Airways-American Airlines alliance (a) for the United Kingdom and (b) for other United Kingdom carriers. - Includes fact that text of the competition analysis under European competition law is being made available from Friday 13 December 1996 and copy in the Library.

Answer: Sir Peter Fry: To ask the President of the board of Trade what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed British Airways-American Airlines alliance (a) for the United Kingdom and (b) for other United Kingdom carriers. [8180] Mr. John M. Taylor: On Friday 6 December my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced that he was seeking from the alliance undertakings in lieu of a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. He made clear that without suitable undertakings the alliance would be likely to lead to a significant loss of actual and potential competition. The text of the competition analysis under European competition law is being made available to interested parties as from Friday 13 December 1996. I will arrange for a copy of this to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 8180; 287 c278-9W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Aviation Competition Airlines Competition law Mergers Monopolies British Airways American Airlines