HC Deb 18 December 1996 vol 287 cc699-700W
Mr. Jamieson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) pursuant to his answers of 10 December,Official Report, columns 87–89, on what occasions his Department used the services of Dellcourts Ltd. (Totnes); and in relation to which applications for RSA; [9121]

(2) pursuant to his answers of 10 December, Official Report, columns 87–89, if the contract for Mr. A's retention as an adviser to his Department was made through his companies. [9120]

Mr. Greg Knight

[holding answers 16 December 1996]: Dellcourts Ltd., a company owned and controlled by Mr. A, was contracted to provide accountancy advice to the Department's south-west regional office, later the Government Office for the south-west, from 1 February

(a) Inward investment £ million (b) Outward investment £ million (c) Acquisitions in the UK £ million (d) Acquisitions overseas £ million (e) Percentage acquisitions in inward investment
1979 3,030 5,889 166 1,384 5.5
1980 4,355 4,867 797 1,772 18.3
1981 2,932 6,005 875 2,403 29.8
1982 3,027 4,091 249 915 8.2
1983 3,386 5,417 556 1,919 16.4

1993 to 15 April 1995. During that time, it assisted in the appraisal of 71 regional selective assistance cases, as well as advising on applications under SMART—small firms merit award for research and technology—and SPUR—support for products under research—technology services and on business links.

Mr. A also advised on a further 49 regional selective assistance cases between 5 February 1991 and 31 January 1993 under the terms of a contract made directly with him which included provision for all remuneration to be paid to Dellcourts Ltd.

Mr. Jamieson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answers of 10 December,Official Report, columns 87–89, if it was acceptable practice within the terms of his contract for Mr. A to make direct written contact with applicants for RSA while he was retained as an adviser to his Department. [9122]

Mr. Knight

[holding answer 16 December 1996]: External advisers assisting in regional assistance cases are free to correspond or otherwise communicate with applicants to clarify aspects of their appraisal.