asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will set up an immediate departmental inquiry into the procedures and commercial practices involved in the takeover bid for the Manchester Ship Canal Company; and if he will make a statement.

The practices in question do not appear to be within the scope of any of my right hon Friend's investigatory powers under the Companies Act, but they can certainly be considered within the framework of the review of various aspects of takeover regulation which he announced on 28 January.