To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations her Department has made to support the planned merger of Arla with National Express; and if she will make a statement. [117146]

I have been asked to reply.I assume the hon. Member is referring to the planned merger of Arla with Express Dairies.It is normal practice for the Competition Authorities to ask Government departments to comment on merger proposals.The Department has written to the Competition Authorities with its views on this merger. However, the nature of that correspondence is commercial and market sensitive and it is therefore not appropriate for me to disclose its content.