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18-03
22 May 2003
COMPETITION COMMISSION INVITES EVIDENCE ON THE PROPOSED
ACQUISITION OF NEWSPAPER TITLES BY NEWSQUEST
Melanie Johnson, DTI Competition Minister, has asked the
Competition Commission to look into the proposed transfer
to Newsquest Media Group Limited of twenty-three newspaper
titles currently owned by Independent News and Media UK Limited
which are distributed in the Greater London area (as are a
number of Newsquest titles).
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 19 August 2003. The report will be
published at a later date.
The Commission would like to hear from all interested parties,
in writing, by 18 June 2003.
To submit evidence, please write to:
A group of Commission members is being formed to investigate
this merger. Their details will be announced on the Commission’s
inquiry website (http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/newsquestind.htm)
shortly.
Notes to Editors
1. The reference concerning the proposed acquisition by Newsquest
Media Group Limited of the Independent News & Media (UK)
Limited newspapers was made under the Fair Trading Act 1973
(section 59) on 20 May 2003 (see DTI press notice P/2003/302).
Group Members
Professor
Paul Geroski
Mr
Peter Freeman
Mr
Richard Holroyd
Prof
Donald Trelford
Mr
Martyn Webster
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