asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to examine the impact of competition on price levels in Great Britain and the effects of take-over bids and mergers on the nation's economy.

No. But as my hon. Friend said in reply to the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. John Fraser) on 5th November, I am now urgently examining ways of making more effective the machinery for promoting competition.