Mr Mandelson must make his decision shortly. While there are good economic arguments in favour of establishing a market for slots, it will be interesting to see whether Mr Mandelson is prepared to back the OFT in the face of opposition from Brussels. The alternative involves proceeding against the advice of the OFT - a course of action occasionally taken by his predecessor, Margaret Beckett, who notably referred two mergers to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission against the advice of the OFT.

Simon Neill
Freshfields
London