COMPETITION COMMISSION INVITES EVIDENCE ON THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF COMMUNITY HOSPITALS BY GENERAL HEALTHCARE GROUP LTD

Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, has asked the Competition Commission to inquire into the proposed acquisition of Community Hospitals Group plc by the General Healthcare Group Ltd under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973.

The Commission will consider whether the merger may be expected to operate against the public interest. The Commission has been asked to make its report to the Secretary of State by 26 June 2001. The report will be published at a later date.

The Commission would like to hear from all interested parties, in writing, by 11 April 2001. To submit evidence, please write to:

The Reference Secretary (GHG/CHG)

Competition Commission

New Court

48 Carey Street

London WC2A 2JT

Or email: info@competition-commission.org.uk

Professor Paul Geroski, Deputy Chairman of the Commission, will chair the inquiry. The other members of the group are Robert Bertram, Charles Henderson and Timothy Richmond.

Notes for Editors

This reference was made under the Fair Trading Act 1973 on 20 March 2001 (see DTI Press Notice P/2001/167).
Further information can be obtained from the Commission website at www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/ref.htm
Enquiries should be directed to:

Francis Royle, Press Officer Tel: 020 7271 0242

Group members

Prof P Geroski (Chairman)
Mr R Bertram
Mr C Henderson
Mr T Richmond