P122 CEEFAX 122  Sun 22 Dec  16:42/43
      1/2 
    
    
               TOPICS, BIDS & DEALS    
                                        
  BET's £115m bid for scaffolding group
 SOB has been referred to the Monopolies
 Commission.                            
                                        
 The latter has been given six months in
 which to report.                       
                                        
 The bid had already won an effective   
 32pc of SOB.                           
                                        
 * CH Beazjr's £113m bid for French Tier
 has escaped such treatment. The Trade  
 Secretary has given it the all-clear.  
                                        
 Beazjt had withdrawn a tender offer for
 25pc of SOB when BET made its move.    
                                        
              SOB Shares 127            
                                        
                                        
   P122 CEEFAX 122  Sun 22 Dec  16:48/42
      2/2 
    
    
               TOPICS, BIDS & DEALS    
                                        
  The eagerly awaited European scheme  
 to rescue helicopters firm Westland    
 asks shareholders to stump up only 55p 
 a shari as their part of the dial.     
                                        
 The rights issue component of the plan,
 which has been mounted bz a consortium 
 of five companies, including both BAe  
 and GEC, is djsignjd to raise £13m.    
                                        
 Shareholders taking up their rights    
 are also offered warrants to subscribe 
 at 85p for new shares until 1996.      
                                        
 * The Sikorsky-Fiat rescue involves a  
 60p-a-share cash call, raising £14m.   
                                        
           Wjstland Shares 127