COMPETITION COMMISSION INVITES EVIDENCE ON THE PROPOSED MERGER OF CARLTON COMMUNICATIONS PLC AND GRANADA PLC

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt has asked the Competition Commission to look into the proposed merger between Carlton Communications Plc and Granada Plc.

The Commission has been asked to consider whether the proposed merger may be expected to operate against the public interest taking into account all matters which appear in the circumstances to be relevant and, in particular, the need to maintain competition in the market for the provision of TV advertising, as well as examining questions in relation to potential competition for ITV licences and to the supply of studio facilities in Northern England. The Commission has been asked to report to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by 25 June 2003. The report will be published at a later date.

The Commission would like to hear from all interested parties, in writing, by 2 April 2003. To submit evidence, please write to:

The Inquiry Secretary (Carlton-Granada)
Competition Commission
New Court
48 Carey Street
London WC2A 2JT

Or email: tim.oyler@competition-commission.gsi.gov.uk

The Group conducting the inquiry will be chaired by Professor Paul Geroski, a Deputy Chairman of the Commission. The other members will be appointed soon. Their details will be announced on the Commission's inquiry website http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/carlton.htm shortly.

Notes to Editors:

The reference concerning the proposed merger was made under the Fair Trading Act 1973 on 11 March 2003 (see DTI Press Notice P/2003/152).

Further information can be obtained from the Commission's website at http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/carlton.htm

Group Members

Professor P A Geroski (Group Chairman)
Mrs S E Brown
Mrs D Guy
Mr C E Henderson
Professor P Moizer