§ Mr. EasthamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date British Aerospace advised the Minister of its intention to sell Rover to BMW; and on what date the Minister notified the Japanese ambassador of this intention.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 8 February 19941: British Aerospace advised the Department in confidence of its decision in principle to sell Rover shortly after the BAe board meeting on 27 January and also subsequently, again in confidence, of the final decision shortly after it was made on 29 January. The Government did not notify the Japanese ambassador of BAe's decision.