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37/01
26 November 2001
COMPETITION COMMISSION INVITES EVIDENCE ON THE PROPOSED
ACQUISITIONS BY JOHNSTON PRESS OF EIGHT TRINITY MIRROR TITLES
Melanie Johnson, DTI Competition Minister, has asked
the Competition Commission to look into the proposed transfer to Johnston
Press of eight local newspaper titles in the East Midlands currently published
by Trinity Mirror. The titles are: Peterborough Herald & Post, Derby
Trader, The Trader (Alfreton, Eastwood, Ilkeston, Ripley), Harborough
Herald & Post, Stamford Herald & Post, Northampton Herald &
Post, East Northants Herald & Post series and the Brackley and Towcester
Post series.
The Commission will consider whether the acquisitions
may be expected to operate against the public interest. The Commission
has been asked to report to the Secretary of State on the proposed acquisitions
by 22 February 2002. The report will be published at a later date.
The Commission would like to hear from all interested
parties, in writing, by
12 December 2001. To submit evidence, please write to:
The Reference Secretary (Johnston/Trinity)
Room 563
Competition Commission
New Court
48 Carey Street
LONDON WC2A 2JT
or e-mail: timothy.oyler@competition-commission.org.uk
Paul Geroski, a deputy chairman of the Commission, will
chair the inquiry. The other members of the group are Gill Owen and Anthony
Clothier. They will be joined by Linda Christmas and William Gibson who
are members of the newspaper panel appointed by the Secretary of State.
Notes to Editors
- The reference concerning the proposed acquisition by Johnston Press
of eight titles currently owned by Trinity Mirror was made under the
Fair Trading Act 1973 (sections 57-62) on 22 November 2001 (see DTI
Press Notice P/2001/652).
- A full list of the titles published by Trinity Mirror which are the
subject of the reference is given in the attached schedule.
- Further information can be obtained from the Commission's website
at www.competition-commission.org.uk
- Enquiries should be directed to:
Francis Royle, Press Officer Tel: 020 7271 0242
Group Members
Professor P Geroski (Chairman)
Mr A Clothier
Dr G Owen
Mrs L Christmas
Mr W Gibson
SCHEDULE: NEWSPAPERS AND NEWSPAPER ASSETS INVOLVED IN THE PROPOSED TRANSFER
The following newspapers, together with the assets necessary to their
continuation as separate newspapers (including the intellectual property
in and right to use the name of the newspapers):
Peterborough Herald and Post
Derby Trader
The Trader (Alfreton, Eastwood, Ilkeston, Ripley)
Harborough Herald and Post
Stamford Herald and Post (including the Spalding Post edition)
Northampton Herald and Post
East Northants Herald and Post series (comprising the Wellingborough
and Rushden Herald and Post, the Kettering Herald and Post
and the Corby Herald and Post)
Brackley and Towcester Post series (comprising the Brackley
Post and the Towcester Post)
The Weekend Post and The Oundle Herald and Post
(both The Weekend Post and The Oundle Herald
and Post have ceased publication).
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