COMPETITION COMMISSION INVITES EVIDENCE ON THE PROPOSED ACQUISITIONS BY GANNETT UK LIMITED OF SMG’S NEWSPAPERS

Melanie Johnson, DTI Competition Minister, has asked the Competition Commission to look into the proposed transfer to Gannett UK Limited of The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times newspapers, currently published by SMG.

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 10 March 2003. The report will be published at a later date.

The Commission would like to hear from all interested parties, in writing, by 8 January 2003.

To submit evidence, please write to:

The Inquiry Secretary (SMG/Gannett)
Competition Commission
New Court
48 Carey Street
London WC2A 2JT

Or email: Kylie.chapman@competition-commission.gsi.gov.uk

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/smg.htm) shortly.

Notes to Editors

1. The reference concerning the proposed acquisition by Gannett UK of the SMG newspapers was made under the Fair Trading Act 1973 (sections 57-62) on 10 December 2002 (see DTI press Notice P/2002/786).

2. Further information can be found on the Commission’s website http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/smg.htm

3. Inquiries should be directed to: Francis Royle, Press Officer, tel: 020 7271 0242

Group Members

Professor P A Geroski
Miss J C Hanratty
Ms E Pollard
Professor S R M Wilks
Mr A M Young