Hewlett Packard and Compaq set dates to vote on merger

Hewlett Packard has set 19th March as the date on which shareholders are to vote on the company's plan to buy Compaq Computer. Compaq shareholders will have their chance to vote on the following day, 20th March.

Hewlett-Packard board member Walter Hewlett, son of founder Bill Hewlett has been strongly advocating that shareholders vote against the deal.