92BO Malmo 25

RNS No 379e
DEPARTMENT TRADE AND INDUSTRY
2nd February 1999


 KIM HOWELLS REFERS PROPOSED ACQUISITION BY AIR PRODUCTS
            OF DEVILBISS MEDEQUIP TO THE MMC

Kim Howells, Competition and Consumer Affairs Minister,
has decided, in accordance with the advice of the
Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT), to refer the
proposed acquisition by Air Products and Chemicals Inc.
of DeVilbiss Medequip Limited to the Monopolies and
Mergers Commission (MMC) under the provisions of the Fair
Trading Act 1973.

Dr Howells considered that the proposed acquisition
raises competition concerns in respect of the market for
the supply of oxygen concentrators in the UK.  The
decision to make a reference does not in any way prejudge
the question of whether or not the proposed merger would
be against the public interest.  It is for the MMC to
report on this after investigation.  The MMC are to make
their report by 7 May 1999.



Notes for Editors

1.   The Fair Trading Act 1973 empowers the Secretary of
State to refer to the MMC for investigation and report
actual or proposed mergers which create or intensify a
market share of 25 per cent of the supply in the UK, or a
substantial part of the UK, of particular goods and
services or involve the takeover of assets exceeding #70
million.


END

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