§ 2.52 p.m.
§ Lord Bruce-Gardyne asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What progress they are making in negotiations with the European Commission in Brussels regarding the writing-off of debt in the Austin Rover balance sheet in the context of the bid by British Aerospace to acquire control of Austin Rover.
§ The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Lord Young of Graffham)My Lords, with the leave of the House I shall in a few minutes make a Statement to the House on the Rover Group privatisation and the bid by British Aerospace. In the circumstances my noble friend may feel that it would not be appropriate for me to attempt a reply to his Question in advance of my Statement. Noble Lords will of course have a full opportunity to ask me questions arising out of my Statement in the usual way. I hope very much that other noble Lords will also be content to defer further consideration of this matter until then.
§ Lord Bruce-GardyneMy Lords, I am most grateful to my noble friend for that reply. I am sure noble Lords will look forward very much to the Statement which my noble friend is about to make.