§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the reason for the delay in making a decision on the management/employee buy-out of Strathclyde Buses; when he expects to announce his decision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonEarly in May my right hon. Friend received a request from Strathclyde regional council for consent to sell Strathclyde Buses Ltd to the company's management and employees. On 18 May there was a fire at Strathclyde Buses' Larkfield depot, Glasgow which destroyed the depot and a large number of buses. My right hon. Friend immediately sought clarification from the regional council about whether the vendors and prospective purchasers were content that the terms of the offer should remain unchanged. A response is awaited. A decision on the sale will he announced after the terms of the offer have been confirmed.