HMSO

HC Deb 04 December 1995 vol 268 cc32-3W

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will make a statement on his plans for the privatisation of HMSO; and what is the time scale for his plans for the privatisation of HMSO; [3210]

(2) when he will be able to announce details of his plans for the future of HMSO. [3217]

Mr. Freeman

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) on 27 November,Official Report, column 447. The Government's plans envisage completing a privatisation during 1996.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many of its financial targets HMSO has met since 1980; [3212]

(2) if HMSO has been self-financing since 1980. [3213]

Mr. Freeman

As a trading fund, HMSO is required to cover all its costs with income from activities, and to make a small annual surplus. It has broken even every year, and achieved the target surplus on all except two occasions—1991 and 1994—since 1980.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people are employed in HMSO. [3211]

Mr. Freeman

The total number including casual staff on 1 November 1995 was 2,898.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what(a) representations and (b) requests for a meeting he has received from trade unions representing employees in HMSO with respect to the possible privatisation of that agency; and what response he has given. [3215]

Mr. Freeman

I and my colleagues have so far received one letter on the possible privatisation of HMSO from the Graphical, Paper and Media Union, and one from the HMSO trade union side, and have responded to the points each raised. I have received no requests for a meeting. However, I met local trade union representatives at my own request during a visit to HMSO's Norwich headquarters in September.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many times he has met the chief executive of HMSO to discuss proposals for the privatisation of the agency. [3214]

Mr. Freeman

Five times.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received from organisations or groups interested in bidding for the contract to run a privatised HMSO. [3216]

Mr. Freeman

Around 60 potential purchasers of HMSO have so far contacted me or my advisers. Their identities must remain confidential for the time being for commercial reasons.