HC Deb 06 March 1981 vol 1000 cc213-4W
Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grants have been made by the voluntary services unit in the years 1976–77 to date in respect of Scotland, England and Wales; and if he will (express these figures in percentage terms.

Mr. Raison

Details of grants by the voluntary services unit in England, Scotland and Wales for the financial years 1977–78 and 1980–81, and the relevant percentages, are

fully guaranteed in the takeover of The Observer by Lonrho; and if he intends to ensure that the new proprietors offer at least as full and as detailed guarantees in all respects as those provided by Mr. Murdoch in his takeover of The Times.

Mr. Biffen

I have not yet received any application for consent to the transfer ofThe Observer to another newspaper proprietor. It would therefore be premature to speculate what conditions might be attached to my consent.