3rd Sep 2007 07:00
FirstGroup PLC03 September 2007 Embargoed until 0700hrs on 3 September 2007 FIRSTGROUP PLC PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF LAIDLAW INTERNATIONAL, INC. EXPECTED CLOSING IN THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER 2007 Regulatory review under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act ("HSRAct") is ongoing in respect of the proposed acquisition by FirstGroup of LaidlawInternational, Inc. On 11 July 2007, FirstGroup announced that it and Laidlaw had agreed with theAntitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice ("the Antitrust Division")to provide the Antitrust Division with additional time in which to completetheir review of the Acquisition and would give the Antitrust Division not lessthan 30 days' notice of their intention to complete the Acquisition. Discussions with the Antitrust Division are proceeding well and, subject toreaching final agreement with the Antitrust Division and the Group of StateAttorneys General who have expressed an interest in the Acquisition (the "StateAGs"), we currently expect that we will close the Acquisition in the first weekof October 2007. It is expected that as part of the agreement to be reached withthe Antitrust Division, the Antitrust Division will waive the requirement for afull 30 days' notice. In addition, the parties have given notice to the State AGs of their intentionto close the Acquisition in the first week of October 2007. Further detailed information will be given at the time of closing. Terms used in this Announcement shall have the same meanings as set out in theCircular dated 26 March 2007. Contacts: Rachael BorthwickGroup Corporate Communications Director, FirstGroup plcTel: +44 (0) 7771 945 432 Malcolm MoirJPMorgan CazenoveTel: +44 (0) 207 588 2828 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Firstgroup