§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on approaches to his Department in relation to the Crown Suppliers from(a) Sir Basil Feldman, (b) Mr. Robert Maxwell and (c)the management buy-out team.
§ Mr. ChopeAll approaches relating sale of the Crown Suppliers, whether to my Department or to Samuel Montagu and Co, the merchant bankers advising the Government on the sale, are treated as having been made in confidence.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether it is intended to issue invitations to tender the purchase of the Crown Suppliers before legislation is enacted or after; and precisely what legislation is required to privatise that organisation;
816W(2) whether he will give the staff of the Crown Suppliers the option of remaining in the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeI shall announce further details of our proposals for privatisation as soon as possible.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on whose authority Mr. John Cross of the Crown Suppliers has asked all staff in procurement division for details of their experience, length of service, and so on; and in what capacity and for what purpose he was acting.
§ Mr. ChopeThe controller of the Crown Suppliers informs me that this was done in the course of the day-to-day management of the Crown Suppliers.