RNS Number:3565J
Office of Fair Trading
28 March 2003


Merger Clearance:

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has decided, on the information at
present before her, and in accordance with the recommendations of the Director
General of Fair Trading, not to refer the following mergers to the Competition
Commission under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973:

Proposed acquisition by Avenue Acquisition plc of Coats plc.

Proposed acquisition by The Royal Bank of Scotland of Southern Water Services
Ltd.


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            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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MERSEEFLASDSEED