§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that all employees will have adequate opportunities to participate in buy-outs of Scottish Bus Group companies.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. and learned Friend has already told the House that assistance will be given in the form of help with advice and consultancy to management and employees wishing to seek to acquire their employing undertakings. Steps will be taken to ensure that all employees are informed about the opportunities available.
§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish Bus Group companies one purchaser will be allowed to acquire on privatisation.
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§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe detailed basis on which bids for companies will be considered has yet to be decided but in any event will take account of the objective of introducing greater competition into the Scottish bus market.
§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what safeguards there will be to prevent the regrouping of several Scottish Bus group companies under single ownership, after privatisation.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAfter privatisation Scottish Bus Group companies will be in the same position as all other private sector bus companies in the United Kingdom and any proposals for mergers between companies will be a matter, where appropriate, for the Office of Fair Trading to consider in the light of the mergers provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 and to advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry as appropriate.
§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that Scottish Bus Group companies do not become foreign-owned on privatisation;
(2) what safeguards there will be on privatisation of the Scottish Bus Group companies to ensure that ownership does not fall into non-Scottish hands.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI am aware of the substantial interest that has already been shown by management and employees in the Scottish Bus Group in acquiring the constituent companies. We shall encourage such buy-outs, as a means of promoting local control.