§ Dr. BrayI beg to move amendment No. 2, in page 4, line 16, at end insert:—
`(4A) The Secretary of State shall not set a target investment limit of less than 50.01 per cent. of the total voting rights until a period of at least five years has elapsed from the appointed day.'.The amendment seeks to provide, by means of a golden share, a mechanism by which the assurances and words of comfort that the Minister offered could be enforced. He gave a long list of considerations that might—or might not —be embodied in the conditions for sale of BTG. Those related to matters raised on Second Reading, in Committee or earlier this afternoon, and covered most aspects of the types of safeguard that have been suggested. Nevertheless, the Minister could not give a firm assurance that he would provide a legislative guarantee so that the Government could ensure that such conditions were observed in the successor company.The golden share is one mechanism by which such conditions could be secured. It was advocated by some Conservative Members, and we shall press it in the amendment. The Minister's long list of conditions for sale was rather like the prayer of St. Augustine—"Lord, make me good, but not yet." We seek the Minister's salvation, so we shall press the amendment to a vote.
We welcome yesterday's discussions between representatives of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and 203 Principals and the Minister, but the use that the hon. Gentleman made of the meeting was a little unfair. The representatives of the CVCP were working within the framework of Government policy and the provisions of the Bill. They were trying to secure a settlement by making within that framework a constructive proposal for securing important objectives with regard to BTG's future role in relation to technology transfer and the universities' and research councils' own research. The discussion related not only to the small but significant shareholding that the universities sought, but to the whole nature of the consortium which they advocated and which the Minister adumbrated as something that might emerge from the forthcoming discussions and consideration. We hope that those discussions will be successful, but we believe that a long-stop is needed. An amendment providing for a golden share would be a firm way of securing that end, at least in the important early years.
I have no wish to delay our proceedings, so I shall be happy to proceed to a Division on the amendment at the convenience of the House.
§ Question put, That the amendment be made:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 194, Noes 253.
206| Division No. 112] | [6.25 pm |
| AYES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Cunliffe, Lawrence |
| Adams, Mrs Irene (Paisley, N.) | Dalyell, Tam |
| Alton, David | Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) |
| Anderson, Donald | Davies, Ron (Caerphilly) |
| Archer, Rt Hon Peter | Davis, Terry (B'ham Hodge H'I) |
| Armstrong, Hilary | Dixon, Don |
| Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy | Dunnachie, Jimmy |
| Ashley, Rt Hon Jack | Dunwoody, Hon Mrs Gwyneth |
| Ashton, Joe | Eadie, Alexander |
| Banks, Tony (Newham NW) | Evans, John (St Helens N) |
| Barnes, Harry (Derbyshire NE) | Fatchett, Derek |
| Barron, Kevin | Fearn, Ronald |
| Battle, John | Fisher, Mark |
| Beckett, Margaret | Flannery, Martin |
| Beggs, Roy | Flynn, Paul |
| Beith, A. J. | Foot, Rt Hon Michael |
| Benn, Rt Hon Tony | Foster, Derek |
| Benton, Joseph | Fraser, John |
| Bidwell, Sydney | Fyfe, Maria |
| Blair, Tony | Galbraith, Sam |
| Boateng, Paul | Galloway, George |
| Boyes, Roland | Garrett, John (Norwich South) |
| Bradley, Keith | Garrett, Ted (Wallsend) |
| Bray, Dr Jeremy | George, Bruce |
| Brown, Nicholas (Newcastle E) | Godman, Dr Norman A. |
| Brown, Ron (Edinburgh Leith) | Golding, Mrs Llin |
| Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) | Gordon, Mildred |
| Buckley, George J. | Graham, Thomas |
| Caborn, Richard | Grant, Bernie (Tottenham) |
| Callaghan, Jim | Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) |
| Campbell, Menzies (Fife NE) | Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) |
| Campbell, Ron (Blyth Valley) | Grocott, Bruce |
| Canavan, Dennis | Hain, Peter |
| Carlile, Alex (Mont'g) | Hardy, Peter |
| Clark, Dr David (S Shields) | Harman, Ms Harriet |
| Clarke, Tom (Monklands W) | Haynes, Frank |
| Clelland, David | Healey, Rt Hon Denis |
| Cohen, Harry | Henderson, Doug |
| Cook, Frank (Stockton N) | Hinchliffe, David |
| Cook, Robin (Livingston) | Hoey, Ms Kate (Vauxhall) |
| Corbett, Robin | Hogg, N. (C'nauld & Kilsyth) |
| Corbyn, Jeremy | Home Robertson, John |
| Cousins, Jim | Hood, Jimmy |
| Crowther, Stan | Howarth, George (Knowsley N) |
| Cryer, Bob | Howells, Geraint |
| Cummings, John | Howells, Dr. Kim (Pontypridd) |
| Hughes, John (Coventry NE) | Parry, Robert |
| Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) | Patchett, Terry |
| Hughes, Roy (Newport E) | Pendry, Tom |
| Hughes, Simon (Southwark) | Pike, Peter L. |
| Illsley, Eric | Primarolo, Dawn |
| Ingram, Adam | Quin, Ms Joyce |
| Janner, Greville | Radice, Giles |
| Johnston, Sir Russell | Randall, Stuart |
| Kirkwood, Archy | Redmond, Martin |
| Lambie, David | Rees, Rt Hon Merlyn |
| Lamond, James | Reid, Dr John |
| Leadbitter, Ted | Richardson, Jo |
| Lewis, Terry | Robertson, George |
| Livingstone, Ken | Rogers, Allan |
| Lloyd, Tony (Stretford) | Rooney, Terence |
| Loyden, Eddie | Ross, Ernie (Dundee W) |
| McAllion, John | Rowlands, Ted |
| McAvoy, Thomas | Ruddock, Joan |
| McCartney, Ian | Salmond, Alex |
| Macdonald, Calum A. | Sedgemore, Brian |
| McFall, John | Sheerman, Barry |
| McKay, Allen (Barnsley West) | Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert |
| McKelvey, William | Shore, Rt Hon Peter |
| McLeish, Henry | Short, Clare |
| Maclennan, Robert | Skinner, Dennis |
| McMaster, Gordon | Smith, Andrew (Oxford E) |
| McNamara, Kevin | Smith, C. (Isl'ton & F'bury) |
| McWilliam, John | Smith, Rt Hon J. (Monk'ds E) |
| Madden, Max | Smith, J. P. (Vale of Glam) |
| Mahon, Mrs Alice | Snape, Peter |
| Marek, Dr John | Soley, Clive |
| Marshall, David (Shettleston) | Spearing, Nigel |
| Marshall, Jim (Leicester S) | Steel, Rt Hon Sir David |
| Martin, Michael J. (Springburn) | Stott, Roger |
| Martlew, Eric | Strang, Gavin |
| Maxton, John | Taylor, Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Meacher, Michael | Taylor, Matthew (Truro) |
| Meale, Alan | Walley, Joan |
| Michael, Alun | Wardell, Gareth (Gower) |
| Michie, Mrs Ray (Arg'l & Bute) | Wareing, Robert N. |
| Molyneaux, Rt Hon James | Watson, Mike (Glasgow, C) |
| Moonie, Dr Lewis | Welsh, Andrew (Angus E) |
| Morgan, Rhodri | Welsh, Michael (Doncaster N) |
| Morley, Elliot | Wigley, Dafydd |
| Morris, Rt Hon J. (Aberavon) | Williams, Alan W. (Carm'then) |
| Mowlam, Marjorie | Winnick, David |
| Murphy, Paul | Worthington, Tony |
| Nellist, Dave | Wray, Jimmy |
| Oakes, Rt Hon Gordon | Young, David (Bolton SE) |
| O'Brien, William | |
| O'Hara, Edward | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| O'Neill, Martin | Mr. Jack Thompson and |
| Orme, Rt Hon Stanley | Mr. Ken Eastham. |
| NOES | |
| Aitken, Jonathan | Blaker, Rt Hon Sir Peter |
| Alexander, Richard | Bonsor, Sir Nicholas |
| Alison, Rt Hon Michael | Boscawen, Hon Robert |
| Allason, Rupert | Boswell, Tim |
| Amess, David | Bottomley, Peter |
| Amos, Alan | Bottomley, Mrs Virginia |
| Arbuthnot, James | Bowden, Gerald (Dulwich) |
| Arnold, Jacques (Gravesham) | Bowis, John |
| Ashby, David | Boyson, Rt Hon Dr Sir Rhodes |
| Aspinwall, Jack | Brazier, Julian |
| Atkins, Robert | Bright, Graham |
| Atkinson, David | Brown, Michael (Brigg & Cl't's) |
| Baker, Nicholas (Dorset N) | Bruce, Ian (Dorset South) |
| Baldry, Tony | Buchanan-Smith, Rt Hon Alick |
| Banks, Robert (Harrogate) | Buck, Sir Antony |
| Barnes, Mrs Rosie (Greenwich) | Budgen, Nicholas |
| Batiste, Spencer | Burns, Simon |
| Beaumont-Dark, Anthony | Burt, Alistair |
| Bellingham, Henry | Butler, Chris |
| Bendall, Vivian | Butterfill, John |
| Bennett, Nicholas (Pembroke) | Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln) |
| Benyon, W. | Carrington, Matthew |
| Bevan, David Gilroy | Carttiss, Michael |
| Biffen, Rt Hon John | Cash, William |
| Blackburn, Dr John G. | Channon, Rt Hon Paul |
| Chapman, Sydney | Knight, Dame Jill (Edgbaston) |
| Churchill, Mr | Knox, David |
| Clark, Rt Hon Alan (Plymouth) | Latham, Michael |
| Clark, Dr Michael (Rochford) | Lawrence, Ivan |
| Clark, Rt Hon Sir William | Leigh, Edward (Gainsbor'gh) |
| Clarke, Rt Hon K. (Rushcliffe) | Lennox-Boyd, Hon Mark |
| Colvin, Michael | Lester, Jim (Broxtowe) |
| Coombs, Anthony (Wyre F'rest) | Lightbown, David |
| Coombs, Simon (Swindon) | Lilley, Rt Hon Peter |
| Cope, Rt Hon John | Lloyd, Sir Ian (Havant) |
| Cormack, Patrick | Lloyd, Peter (Fareham) |
| Couchman, James | Lord, Michael |
| Cran, James | McCrindle, Sir Robert |
| Currie, Mrs Edwina | Macfarlane, Sir Neil |
| Davies, Q. (Stamf'd & Spald'g) | MacGregor, Rt Hon John |
| Davis, David (Boothferry) | MacKay, Andrew (E Berkshire) |
| Day, Stephen | Maclean, David |
| Dickens, Geoffrey | McNair-Wilson, Sir Patrick |
| Dicks, Terry | Madel, David |
| Dorrell, Stephen | Malins, Humfrey |
| Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James | Mans, Keith |
| Dover, Den | Maples, John |
| Dunn, Bob | Marland, Paul |
| Durant, Sir Anthony | Marlow, Tony |
| Eggar, Tim | Marshall, John (Hendon S) |
| Evans, David (Welwyn Hatf'd) | Marshall, Sir Michael (Arundel) |
| Evennett, David | Martin, David (Portsmouth S) |
| Fairbairn, Sir Nicholas | Mates, Michael |
| Favell, Tony | Maxwell-Hyslop, Robin |
| Fenner, Dame Peggy | Meyer, Sir Anthony |
| Fishburn, John Dudley | Mills, Iain |
| Fookes, Dame Janet | Mitchell, Andrew (Gedling) |
| Forsyth, Michael (Stirling) | Mitchell, Sir David |
| Fowler, Rt Hon Sir Norman | Moate, Roger |
| Franks, Cecil | Monro, Sir Hector |
| Fry, Peter | Montgomery, Sir Fergus |
| Gale, Roger | Morrison, Sir Charles |
| Glyn, Dr Sir Alan | Morrison, Rt Hon Sir Peter |
| Goodlad, Alastair | Moss, Malcolm |
| Goodson-Wickes, Dr Charles | Neale, Sir Gerrard |
| Greenway, Harry (Ealing N) | Nelson, Anthony |
| Gregory, Conal | Neubert, Sir Michael |
| Griffiths, Peter (Portsmouth N) | Newton, Rt Hon Tony |
| Grist, Ian | Nicholls, Patrick |
| Hamilton, Neil (Tatton) | Nicholson, David (Taunton) |
| Hampson, Dr Keith | Nicholson, Emma (Devon West) |
| Hannam, John | Norris, Steve |
| Hargreaves, Ken (Hyndburn) | Onslow, Rt Hon Cranley |
| Harris, David | Oppenheim, Phillip |
| Hayes, Jerry | Page, Richard |
| Hayhoe, Rt Hon Sir Barney | Patnick, Irvine |
| Hayward, Robert | Patten, Rt Hon Chris (Bath) |
| Heseltine, Rt Hon Michael | Patten, Rt Hon John |
| Hicks. Robert (Cornwall SE) | Pattie, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey |
| Hill, James | Peacock, Mrs Elizabeth |
| Hind, Kenneth | Porter, Barry (Wirral S) |
| Howard, Rt Hon Michael | Porter, David (Waveney) |
| Howarth, Alan (Strat'd-on-A) | Powell, William (Corby) |
| Howarth, G. (Cannock & B'wd) | Price, Sir David |
| Howe, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey | Raison, Rt Hon Sir Timothy |
| Howell, Ralph (North Norfolk) | Rathbone, Tim |
| Hughes, Robert G. (Harrow W) | Renton, Rt Hon Tim |
| Hunt, Rt Hon David | Rhodes James, Robert |
| Hunter, Andrew | Riddick, Graham |
| Irvine, Michael | Rifkind, Rt Hon Malcolm |
| Irving, Sir Charles | Roberts, Sir Wyn (Conwy) |
| Jack, Michael | Rost, Peter |
| Jackson, Robert | Rowe, Andrew |
| Janman, Tim | Ryder, Rt Hon Richard |
| Jessel, Toby | Sackville, Hon Tom |
| Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey | Sayeed, Jonathan |
| Jones, Gwilym (Cardiff N) | Shaw, David (Dover) |
| Jones, Robert B (Herts W) | Shaw, Sir Giles (Pudsey) |
| Jopling, Rt Hon Michael | Shaw, Sir Michael (Scarb') |
| Key, Robert | Shelton, Sir William |
| Kilfedder, James | Shepherd, Colin (Hereford) |
| King, Roger (B'ham N'thfield) | Shepherd, Richard (Aldridge) |
| Kirkhope, Timothy | Shersby, Michael |
| Knapman, Roger | Skeet, Sir Trevor |
| Knight, Greg (Derby North) | Smith, Sir Dudley (Warwick) |
| Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield) | Walden, George |
| Soames, Hon Nicholas | Walker, Bill (T'side North) |
| Speed, Keith | Walters, Sir Dennis |
| Spicer, Michael (S Worcs) | Ward, John |
| Stanbrook, Ivor | Watts, John |
| Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John | Wells, Bowen |
| Steen, Anthony | Wheeler, Sir John |
| Stern, Michael | Whitney, Ray |
| Stevens, Lewis | Widdecombe, Ann |
| Stewart, Allan (Eastwood) | Wiggin, Jerry |
| Stewart, Andy (Sherwood) | Wilkinson, John |
| Stewart, Rt Hon Ian (Herts N) | Wilshire, David |
| Sumberg, David | Winterton, Mrs Ann |
| Summerson, Hugo | Winterton, Nicholas |
| Tapsell, Sir Peter | Wolfson, Mark |
| Taylor, Ian (Esher) | Woodcock, Dr. Mike |
| Taylor, Teddy (S'end E) | Yeo, Tim |
| Thompson, D. (Calder Valley) | Young, Sir George (Acton) |
| Thurnham, Peter | Younger, Rt Hon George |
| Tracey, Richard | |
| Tredinnick, David | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Twinn, Dr Ian | Mr. Timothy Wood and |
| Vaughan, Sir Gerard | Mr. John M. Taylor. |
| Viggers, Peter |
§ Question accordingly negatived.