ICI SALE OF FERTILISER BUSINESS

That this House deplores the decision of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 23rd January to refuse to permit the sale by I.C. I. to Kemira of its fertiliser business; believes that the decision was made on purely doctrinal grounds because Kemira is a Finnish state-owned industry; is concerned that the decision could lead to the eventual loss of five hundred jobs; and calls on her Majesty's Government to reconsider this matter.