The FINANCIAL -- A committee of MPs will meet on March 16 to question the vice-president of Kraft Foods over his company's takeover of British chocolate maker Cadbury.

The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee will take evidence from Marc Firestone, executive vice-president of Kraft, this morning as part of its investigation into company takeovers, mergers and acquisitions, Guardian reports. Two Cadbury executives - president Trevor Bond and HR director Richard Doyle are also attending.

According to the same source, the session will focus on the way in which Kraft won control of Cadbury after a six-month battle. Kraft's U-turn on its promise to keep Cadbury's Somerdale factory open is also likely to be a key talking point.

The plant was due to close in the spring but Kraft had pledged to keep it running - in fact this was a key promise during the bid battle, Mail Online informs. However, just days after winning control of Cadbury, Kraft staged a U-turn and said it would push ahead with the original plan to shut the Somerdale site with the loss of around 400 jobs.

Unions and local politicians have complained that Kraft misled employees over the issue, as BBC reports. Official complaints have already been lodged with the City's takeover panel - the body responsible for regulating takeovers and mergers.

According to Guardian, the committee had hoped that Irene Rosenfeld, Kraft CEO, would attend. However Rosenfeld, who has kept a notably low profile since winning control of Cadbury in January, has decided not to take the opportunity.

The committee will also hear from unions representing Cadbury workers, as well as current Cadbury managers, BBC reports.

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