To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will investigate the report contained in The Observer newspaper of 16 November relating to the proposed merger of Stena and P&O with a view to identifying the source close to the authorities cited in the report. [16967]

I have seen the press report to which the hon. Member refers. The report was speculative, and inaccurate in a number of respects. It contained nothing which suggests that it was derived from a UK official source. Unless there is other evidence to suggest that it was derived from a UK official source, I do not intend to investigate the report further.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she plans to publish her decision on the P&O and Stena ferries merger; and if she will make an oral statement. [17065]

[holding answer 21 November 1997]: I published the Monopolies and Merger's report on the proposed joint venture between P&O and Stena on 19 November. Copies of the report have been laid before Parliament. As is usual in such cases, I also issued a Press Notice announcing my decision on the report, copies of which are available in the libraries of both Houses.