§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of redundancies to the royal ordnance factories for the year 1985–86.
§ Mr. Norman LamontSuch information about Royal Ordnance plc's operations is a matter for the company.
§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated value of the royal ordnance factories.
§ Mr. Norman LamontIn accordance with the scheme made under the Ordnance Factories and Military Services Act 1984, a copy of which was laid before the House, a valuation of the property, rights and liabilities transferred to Royal Ordnance plc on 2 January 1985 is being prepared and will be certified by the reporting accountants appointed for the task. This certificate is expected to be available soon.
§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will give the name of the consultants preparing the sale of the royal ordnance factories; and what safeguards he has asked for relating to the sale of royal ordnance factories to non-British shareholders;
(2) if he will list the royal ordnance factories which (a) have and (b) have not been offered guaranteed contracts in 1986–87;
(3) how he will satisfy himself that foreigners do no exceed their quota of 15 per cent. of royal ordnance shares by way of holding companies.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI shall answer shortly.