§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to the reply of 12 April,Official Report, column 28, what information he has as to how much of the £680 million of state aid to the Rover Group plc was used to fund (a) the write-off of the debts of Leyland Bus and (b) the restructuring costs arising from its sale, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsMy Department receives regular returns from Rover Group giving details of the expenditure of the £680 million in its former commercial vehicle businesses and how this compares with the estimated amounts at the time of the injection. I am sure that the hon. Member will appreciate that these details (including how much, if any, remains to be spent in any business) are commercially confidential.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to the answer of 12 April,Official Report, column 28, if his Department was informed of the arrangements made for the payment of the purchase price of Leyland Bus from the Rover Group plc; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsNo. The arrangements for the payment to the Rover Group plc of the purchase price of Leyland Bus were a matter for the companies concerned.