The motion, put down by Mansfield's Labour MP, Alan Meale, "notes with satisfaction" the referral of the proposed takeover to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

It says that allowing the merger would create "an unacceptable monopoly" for Ladbrokes in the off-course betting market, amounting to nearly 40% of all turnover.

The motion argues that this would seriously reduce competition, which is one of the main factors in the creation of a betting market.

Mr Meale's motion also says that the takeover would give Ladbrokes "excessive influence" in the running of Satellite Information Services (which provides TV pictures to all bookmakers) and BAGS, which runs afternoon greyhound meetings.