19/02
22 March 2002
H+H CELCON AND MARLEY BUILDING MATERIALS MERGER INQUIRY
COMPETITION COMMISSION CONSULTS ON ISSUES
The Competition Commission has sent an issues letter to the main parties,
H+H Celcon Limited (Celcon) and Marley Building Materials Limited (MBM), as
part of its inquiry into the proposed acquisition of MBM by Celcon.
The Commission has identified a number of issues that it wishes to consider,
arising from information received from Celcon and MBM and from other firms
and organisations. These issues are being made public in a statement published
today. The statement is
attached. By exploring these issues – and any others that may be identified
subsequently – the Commission will be better able to reach its decision
on a key question in the terms of reference given to it by the Secretary of
State for Trade and Industry: whether the acquisition of MBM by Celcon might
be expected to operate against the public interest. The statement of issues
sets the agenda for the private hearings which the Commission will be having
with Celcon and MBM not long after Easter.
The purpose of publishing the statement of issues is to inform all interested
parties and to give them the opportunity to put forward any points they wish
to raise with the Commission concerning the proposed merger. The Commission
would like to receive these points, in writing, by Friday 5 April.
The letter and statement highlight those matters which the Commission has
identified for further consideration and to ensure that nothing significant
has been missed. The Commission emphasizes, however, that it has not reached
conclusions on any aspect of its inquiry.
Notes to Editors
- The inquiry into the proposed Celcon and MBM merger was announced by Patricia
Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, on 13 February 2002: see
DTI news release P/2002/087 and the Commission news release 09/02. The Commission
has been asked to report to the Secretary of State by 27 May. The report
itself will be published by DTI some weeks later.
- The inquiry is being carried out by a group of five Commission members
led by Dr Derek Morris, the Commission’s chairman. The other four members
are Dr John Collings, Christopher Goodall, Professor Cosmo Graham and Martyn
Webster.
- Further information can be found on the Commission website: www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/aircrete.htm
- Enquiries should be directed to: Francis Royle, Press Officer, Competition
Commission, tel.: 020-7271 0242
Issues Statement
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