SCOTTISH AND NEWCASTLE BREWERIES

That this House notes that the board of Scottish and Newcastle Breweries has recommended to shareholders a bid by the Danish brewer Carlsberg and the Dutch brewer Heineken; is aware that, under the terms of this bid, Heineken will take ownership of Scottish and Newcastle's brewing in Britain; recognises the major contribution of the workforce at Scottish and Newcastle Breweries to the success of Scottish and Newcastle and their attraction to Heineken; accordingly calls upon Heineken to clarify its intentions, with respect to production; to give guarantees to the existing workforce with respect to the security of their jobs; and further calls upon the Government to ensure that the public interest in this takeover is seen as more than just that of the shareholders and act to secure that public interest.