GUS said it would spend the money on its debts

The brothers, who already own the Liverpool-based Littlewoods mail order chain, announced they had bought GUS's home shopping business, based in Manchester, for �590m on Tuesday.

Tony Lloyd, MP for Manchester Central, said he would also expect the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to get involved if the deal resulted in reduced value for money for customers.

He said he was worried the deal would mean the brothers held a dominant position in the mail order market.

Mr Lloyd told BBC Radio Merseyside: "We need to know that this takeover will retain the jobs base and also retain value for money for the customer.

If one firm becomes dominant in one sector of the market it's got to raise question marks Tony Lloyd MP

"That's up to Littlewoods to prove and I will be making direct approaches to them.

"If this takeover goes through it will be around for a very long time and, quite frankly, promises made in May 2003 won't mean a thing in May 2005 if there isn't a real commitment by the long-term owners.

"In the short term, if the answers are negative, I would hope that the government and the various government agencies concerned with competition and monopolies would take an interest.

GUS is also selling its Reality logistics and customer care business to the Barclays' March UK company.

It will receive about �450m on completion of the deal, with another �140m following in May 2006.

GUS said it would use the money to reduce debts.