To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will review the employment implications of the bids by Jacobs Suchard and Nestlé Ltd. for Rowntree plc; and if he will make a statement.

Under the Fair Trading Act 1972 the Director General of Fair Trading has a duty to advise my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether a merger or prospective merger should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for further investigation. The director general takes into account all matters which may raise questions of public interest including any likely significant employment effects of the merger or prospective merger.