§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at what cost he instructed Mr. Heriot Currie to appear in Lord Milligan's court on Friday 18 May in relation to the Atlas steel foundry, Armadale; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodIt is not usual practice to disclose fees paid individual counsel in a particular case.
The Office of Fair Trading has now completed negotiations: William Cook plc have given signed undertakings to the Secretary of State. The undertakings given to the Secretary of State reflect the undertakings given to the Court of Session on 18 May. In relation to the assets of Armadale steel works, they are as follows:
197WWilliam Cook plc will and will procure that its subsidiaries will:—ensure that no assets of the Armadale Steel Works owned by the Company ("Acquired Assets") are disposed of, and reasonable steps are taken to prevent deterioration of those assets; so far as such assets remain at Armadale Foundry, such reasonable steps shall be taken so far as is consistent with the fact that those assets are no longer in use; in so far as assets are removed from Armadale Foundry, all reasonable steps will be taken to prevent serious damage to the Foundry or to the assets removed or to any other assets;—if the Secretary of State so requires, following an adverse finding by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, return to the Armadale Steel Works any Acquired Assets which have been removed from it;—provide promptly to the Director General of Fair Trading such information as he may reasonably require to ascertain what steps have been taken to ensure that the undertakings above (and other undertakings relating to the business of Lloyds (Burton) Limited) are being fulfilled.