§ Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to receive the report on Alfred Herbert Ltd. by Peat Marwick.
§ Mr. Meacher:Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company, who were engaged as consultants to assist in investigating the problems of Alfred Herbert Limited and to suggest possible solutions, have presented their draft conclusions for discussion to a consultative committee composed of the company's board of directors, representatives of the workforce and officials of my Department. We hope to receive the consultants' report and the views of the workforce and management during the next few weeks.
§ Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Industry on what occasions in the last 12 months he has received advice about Alfred Herbert Ltd. from the IDAB and what the nature of this advice was.
§ Mr. Meacher:It is not customary to disclose the timing of meetings of the Industrial Development Advisory Board or the tenor of its advice. However, as my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Mr. Stanley) on 30th January—[Vol. 885, c. 220W 318–19.]—it recognised that the business of Alfred Herbert Limited should be placed on a sound and continuing basis but recommended that this was best achieved through allowing the company to go into receivership.