HC Deb 26 February 2002 vol 380 cc1162-4W
Mr. Collins

To ask the Prime Minister (1) on how many occasions in the last 12 months he has written to heads of state or Government of other countries on behalf of companies with fewer than 150 employees in the UK; [37160]

(2) what briefing papers he received concerning LNM Holdings prior to his signing the July 2001 letter he sent concerning the company to his Romanian counterpart; and which department sent them; [37159]

(3) on how many occasions in the last 12 months he has written to the Romanian Prime Minister; and if he will list the date of each letter; [37162]

(4) on how many occasions in the last 12 months he has written to heads of state or Government on behalf of individual companies; [37161]

(5) if he will publish the criteria by which he decides whether it is appropriate for him to write to a foreign Government on behalf of an individual company. [37155]

Mr. Gale

To ask the Prime Minister if he will name the companies on whose behalf he has signed letters in support of(a) export and (b) other business interests since I May 1997. [37688]

Richard Ottaway

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of benefit for the British economy of the awarding of a contract to LNM Holdings to build a steel plant in Romania. [37816]

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave the hon. Members for East Carmarthen and Dinefwr (Adam Price) and for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 14 February 2002,Official Report, columns 610-11W.

Mr. Collins

To ask the Prime Minister if the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) has written to him within the last two years concerning(a) Mr. Mittal of LNM Holdings and (b) that company. [37154]

The Prime Minister

My hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East did not write to me concerning these matters.

Mr. Collins

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has met Mr. Mittal of LNM Holdings. [37156]

The Prime Minister

As my official spokesman has already confirmed, I have not had any bilateral meetings with Mr. Mittal.

I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Adam Price

To ask the Prime Minister (1) when he was informed of the attempt by the LNM Group to acquire Sidex; [37931]

(2) how many letters of congratulations he has sent to heads of foreign Governments for allowing the acquisition of assets by companies or individuals which are supported by the British Government; and what were the (a) days on which the letters were sent and (b) foreign countries concerned. [37930]

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him and the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 14 February 2002,Official Report, columns 610-11W.