HC Deb 11 July 1978 vol 953 cc515-6W
Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, pursuant to the Chief Secretary's reply to the hon. Member for Melton, Official Report 27th April, column 1633, he has written to South Crofty Tin Mine, J. W. Spencer Engineering, Summers and Cooper, Summit Pattern Making, Superior Pattern Company, and Wilkinson and Company (Pattern Makers), asking for their consent to publish their names as being on the black list; if so, whether each of the firms replied; and in what terms;

(2) whether, pursuant to the Chief Secretary's reply to the hon. Member for Melton, Official Report 27th April column 1633, he has written to High Speed Turnings, the John Lewis Partnership, Kirby Lester Electronics, Lamcoat Papers, James Mackie and Sons, and Metalwood Pattern Making, asking for their consent to publish their names as being on the blacklist; if so, whether each of the firms replied; and in what terms;

(3) whether, pursuant to the Chief Secretary's reply to the hon. Member for Melton, Official Report, 27th April, c. 1633, he has written to Penny and Giles Transducers, Powell and Asprey, Record Tower Cranes, St. Piran Limited, Scottish Aggregates, P. Shirley Smith, and Smith and Turner, asking for their consent to publish their names as being on the black list; if so, whether each of the firms replied; and in what terms;

(4) whether, pursuant to the Chief Secretary's reply to the hon. Member for Melton, Official Report, 27th April, c. 1633, he has written to Brian Haulage, Brain Haulage (Midlands), Bullock and Mills, Burton and Jessop, Delapre Precision Engineering, Elkington Brothers, and Hall Foundries asking for their consent to publish their names as being on the black list; if so, whether each of the firms replied; and in what terms;

(5) whether, pursuant to the Chief Secretary's reply to the hon. Member for Melton, Official Report, 27th April, c. 1633, he has written to Adelphi Electronics, W. Allport and Sons, Alpine (Double Glazing) Company, Alpine Holdings, Anchor Pattern Company, and T. Baker and Sons (Transport), asking for their consent to publish their names as being on the black list; if so, whether each of the firms has replied; and in what terms.

Mr. Joel Barnett

As I made clear, we will make public the fact that a firm is subject to discretionary action only if it gives its consent; it is our practice to inquire of such firms whether they wish to give consent. To date, no names have been published. The identity of any firm currently subject to discretionary action, and any correspondence on the subject, is still a matter for the Government and the firms concerned.