# C_2004206EN.01000201.xml

| 14.8.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 206/2 |
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14.8.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/2

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case No COMP/M.3539 — GOLDMAN SACHS/QMH)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2004/C 206/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 10 August 2004, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking W2001 Britannia L.L.C (‘Britannia’ USA) controlled by The Goldman Sachs Group Inc (‘Goldman Sachs’, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Queens Moat Houses plc (‘QMH’ UK) by way of purchase of shares or by the purchase of assets. |
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1.

On 10 August 2004, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking W2001 Britannia L.L.C (‘Britannia’ USA) controlled by The Goldman Sachs Group Inc (‘Goldman Sachs’, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Queens Moat Houses plc (‘QMH’ UK) by way of purchase of shares or by the purchase of assets.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for Goldman Sachs: investment banking and securities; |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for Goldman Sachs: investment banking and securities;

| — | for QMH: ownership and operation of hotels. |
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for QMH: ownership and operation of hotels.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (fax No +32/2/2964301 or 2967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3539 — Goldman Sachs/QMH, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition, |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (fax No +32/2/2964301 or 2967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3539 — Goldman Sachs/QMH, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition,

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1

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(2)  http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/legislation/consultation/simplified_tru.pdf.

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