Proposed Takeover Of Carlsberg-Tetley Ltd By Bass Plc

EDM number 184 in 1996-97, proposed by Eddie Loyden on 13/11/1996.

That this House views with concern the increasing tendency towards monopoly within the brewing industry; believes that the proposed takeover by Bass plc of Carlsberg-Tetley Ltd., which would initially control 38 per cent. of the United Kingdom beer market, will create a scale monopoly under the terms of the Fair Trading Act 1973, which would damage the interests of consumers and the industry as a whole; further expresses concern that in 1995 Bass plc established a separate distribution arm called Tradeteam which, despite written commitments made to the workforce at the time of transfer, is forcing down the wages of loyal employees by over ú100 per week; calls upon the company to act honourably to its employees and those in Tradeteam; and urges the Minister to refer the proposed takeover to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

This motion has been signed by a total of 34 MPs.