§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Department of Trade and Industry representatives and those of the British Technology Group at the board meeting of Systime plc on 19 January 1983 received a copy of the revised minutes of that meeting dated 27 January 1983; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherCopies of the revised minutes referred to were received by both the Department and the BTG.
§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) why Mr. Alastair MacDonald and Mr. Bill Wigglesworth of his Department attended a board meeting of Systime plc on 19 January 1983; what action was taken by them arising from the meeting; and if he will make a statement;
(2) why Sir Jeffrey Sterling attended a board meeting of Systime plc on 19 January 1983; what action was taken by him arising from the meeting; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherDepartment of Industry officials attended a number of meetings and discussions in the early months of 1983 which were aimed at finding a resolution to the serious financial difficulties which Systime faced at that time. Sir Jeffrey Sterling participated in some of these discussions in his capacity as special adviser to the then Secretary of State for Industry.