§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has concerning interests of the chairman of the Northern Ireland industrial development board in the textile industry; and what assessment he has made of the objectivity of the consideration given by the board to the application by the Hualon Corporation for a grant of £61 million for new textile facilities in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Ancram[holding answer 24 November 1994]: All members of the Industrial Development Board are required to register interests which could impinge on their work as Board Members. The chairman has registered interests in two Northern Ireland clothing companies, Cooneen Textiles Ltd. and Regatta Fashions Ltd. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has the fullest confidence in the objectivity of the advice given by the board to officials and Ministers on this and all other cases.