RNS Number:2292J
Office of Fair Trading
26 March 2003


FAIR TRADING ACT 1973 - PRIOR NOTICE OF MERGERS

The Director General of Fair Trading received on 10 March 2003 a Merger Notice
under Section 75A of the Fair Trading Act 1973 (the Act) in respect of the
proposed arrangements for:

Proposed acquisition by Nestle of A.S. Watson (Europe) Manufacturing Ltd and
A.S. Watson European Investments S.a.r.l

He now gives notice that in accordance with section 75B(3) of the Act he has
extended the period for consideration of this Notice by a further period of 15
working days. The period for considering this Notice will therefore expire on 30
April 2003.

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