HC Deb 14 November 1977 vol 939 cc38-40W
Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Industry why the corporate plan of the NEB which, under the guidelines, is required to be submitted to him annually, and which the NEB stated in its annual report would be ready towards the end of the summer, has still not been published.

Mr. Les Huckfield

I expect to receive the corporate plan of the NEB before the end of the year. There is no requirement for publication under the Industry Act 1975 or in the NEB guidelines. Since I expect most of the report is likely to be commercially confidential, I will need to consider very carefully with the NEB whether publication would be appropriate.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when the North-Western Region Board of the National Enterprise Board will come into operation.

Mr. Les Huckfield

This is for the Board to decide; 1 understand that it will be as soon as the members are appointed.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much money will be allocated to the North-Western Board of the National Enterprise Board for the next year.

Mr. Les Huckfield

The NEB has set no limit on the funds available to the Board.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what extra staff will be employed by the National Enterprise Board in the North-West as a result of the establishment of a regional board in the North-West.

Mr. Les Huckfield

That is a matter for the NEB.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if the new regional board of the National Enterprise Board will be sited on Merseyside; and if Kirkby will be considered as a possible site.

Mr. Les Huckfield

I understand that the new board will be based on the National Enterprise Board's existing office in Liverpool.

Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Industry on how many occasions the National Enterprise Board has sought his approval for the disposal of investments since its inception; on how many occasions approval was given; if he will give the details of profit or loss arising from such disposals; and on how many occasions he declined to approve the disposal.

Mr. Les Huckfield

The Board has sought my right hon. Friend's approval on five occasions; he has given it on four and withheld it once. Two of the approvals have not yet been acted on; the third was for a disposal by one of the Board's subsidiaries: the financial outcome is commercially confidential; the fourth resulted in a gross profit of £161,131.