asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will appoint inspectors under section 446 of the Companies Act 1985 to investigate dealings in the shares of the Manchester Ship Canal Company following the takeover bid by Highams;(2) if he will require information from the Manchester Ship Canal Company under section 444 of the Companies Act 1985 concerning its ownership;(3) if he will restrict dealings in the shares of the Manchester Ship Canal Company under section 445 of the Companies Act 1985 while inquiries into its ownership are carried out.

Information received from my hon. Friend is under consideration to see whether a Companies Act investigation would be appropriate. At this stage it is not certain that the relevant provisions of the Companies Act 1985 apply to the Manchester Ship Canal Company.