§ Sir George Young
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the proposed alliance of British Airways and American Airlines, following her meeting with Commissioner van Miert. 
§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths
My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade met Commissioner van Miert on Tuesday 20 May for a preliminary discussion of the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines, and other competition matters. It is not the President of the Board of Trade's policy to make public statements about the merits of individual competition cases in which she will be responsible for making decisions.