§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, pursuant to his reply on 8 December,Official Report, column 263, he will list those major companies whose existing shareholders received direct mail shots for the British Steel offer.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 15 December 1988]: No. The mailing list used for the British Steel direct mail shot was obtained through the Department's public relations advisers and the Department does not have a complete list of the companies concerned.
§ Mr. HindTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has approved and made an offer of regional selective assistance to Quinton Snack Foods of Skelmersdale; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsI am not normally able to discuss offers of financial assistance for reasons of commercial confidentiality. Under the circumstances, however, Quintins Snack Foods has agreed that I may inform my hon. Friend that an offer of regional selective assistance has been made to the company, which it has accepted. I hope to make a further announcement in due course.