14th Sep 2005 07:00
Competition Commission14 September 2005 News Release 58/05 14 September 2005 NATIONAL EXPRESS THAMESLINK AND GREAT NORTHERN INQUIRY Statement of issues The Competition Commission (CC) has today published an issues statement as partof its inquiry into the anticipated acquisition by National Express Group plc(NEG) of the Thameslink and Great Northern (TGN) rail franchise. The CC has been asked to consider whether the acquisition may be expected toresult in a substantial lessening of competition in the supply of passengertransport services. NEG currently operates the Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia, Midland Mainline andSilverlink train franchises as well as a network of coach services. NEG is oneof five shortlisted bidders for the TGN franchise. The inquiry group intends to concentrate principally on the effect of the mergeron overlapping rail and coach services between London and: • Luton, Luton Airport and Bedford • Gatwick Airport The issues statement follows the initial process of gathering information, viewsand evidence and identifies clearly for all interested parties the specificquestions and areas the inquiry will be examining. This will form the basis forthe hearings with NEG and other interested parties. The full issues statement isavailable at: www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/ref2005/neg/index.htm A map of rail services serving London and the South East including the routes inquestion is available at: www.nationalrail.co.uk/system/galleries/download/print_maps/LxSE_May_x05.pdf If the Group considers that the merger may be expected to result in asubstantial lessening of competition, it will consider whether and, if so, whatremedies might be appropriate, issuing any remedies statement, should this berequired, at about the time it publishes its provisional findings. The issues statement should not be seen as implying that the Group hasidentified any competition concerns - the CC has yet to reach any conclusions onthis inquiry. The purpose of making the statement of issues public is to informall interested parties and give them an opportunity to raise any further pointswith the CC. The CC would like to hear from all interested parties, in writing,by 28 September 2005. To submit evidence, please write to: Nigel Dorling Inquiry Secretary (National Express/Thameslink) Competition Commission Victoria House Southampton Row LONDON WC1B 4AD or email: [email protected]. The CC will now continue to gather evidence in this inquiry and will publish itsprovisional findings according to the administrative timetable available on theCC web site. Notes for editors 1. The acquisition of a rail franchise is treated as a merger under theRailways Act 1993. 2. The inquiry was referred to the CC by the Office of Fair Trading(OFT) on 3 August 2005. The CC is required to publish its final report by 17January 2006. 3. The Enterprise Act 2002 empowers the OFT to refer to the CC completedor proposed mergers for investigation and report which create or enhance a 25per cent share of supply in the UK (or a substantial part thereof) or where theUK turnover associated with the enterprise being acquired is over £70 million. 4. The NEG/Thameslink Inquiry Group consists of four members: DianeCoyle (Group Chairman), Ivar Grey, Jeremy Peat and Peter Stoddart. 5. Enquiries should be directed to Rory Taylor or Francis Royle on 0207271 0242 or [email protected] [email protected] This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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