THE leading English Channel ferry companies were yesterday given the go ahead by the British government to merge or pool resources to meet competition from the Channel Tunnel. Under existing arrangements, the main Dover Calais ferry operators, Stena Line and P & O European Ferries, were prevented from making any fare fixing, merging or pooling arrangements. However yesterday, Mr Ian Lang, President of the Board of Trade, released the two companies, as well as the Hoverspeed company, from any previous undertakings.