§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will discuss with the chairman of the Welsh Arts Council its intention to sell off the Oriel bookshop in Cardiff to HMSO; and if he will seek to ensure that, in any such change the role of the bookshop as a main outlet of Welsh language publications and music in Cardiff will be safeguarded.
§ Mr. RichardsThe Arts Council of Wales issued invitations to tender for the management of the book selling operations at the Oriel bookshop in Cardiff on 9 September 1994. The Arts Council will be considering the report of its project board at its meeting on 15 December; some aspects of the report have been submitted to the Welsh Office for approval, and these are under consideration. It will be a matter for the Arts Council as to whether the project board's recommendations are accepted.
The successful tenderer will need to provide services at least equal to those provided by Oriel, including the provision of Welsh language books and periodicals.
Since the Arts Council is conducting the contracting-out process in accordance with Government guidance on market testing, and the choice of tenderer rests with the Arts Council, my right hon. Friend and I do not intend to meet the chairman to discuss the matter.