Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Thursday, 4 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 December 2003. It was answered by Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour) on Thursday, 11 December 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether the acquisition of the printing ink manufacturers Gibbons and Coates and Lovilleux by Sun Chemicals has been referred to the Competition Commission; and if she will make a statement. - (Holding answer 10 December 2003).

Answer: Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the acquisition of the printing ink manufacturers Gibbons and Coates and Lovilleux by Sun Chemicals has been referred to the Competition Commission; and if she will make a statement. [143000] Mr. Sutcliffe: [holding answer 10 December 2003]: Ministers are no longer involved in decisions on whether to refer to the Competition Commission mergers which do not raise specified public interest considerations. The Office of Fair Trading is not currently investigating this acquisition.

Secondary information