§ Mr. ByersTo ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. Betts) of 15 May,Official Report, column 22, on what date the decision was taken to review the status of RJB (Mining) as preferred bidder; and continue as preferred bidder. [25392]
§ Mr. Page[holding answer 23 May 1995]The position of each of the preferred bidders was kept under review throughout the course of negotiations. Following the decision on proceedings against former directors of the AF Budge companies, which was made on 21 November, the Department specifically reviewed RJB (Mining) plc's status as preferred bidder for the English coal companies in the light of the consideration of the conduct of Mr. Richard Budge in the context of the failure of the AF Budge companies and the decision on those proceedings. The Department concluded on 25 November that RJB (Mining) should properly continue as preferred bidder.