§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to submit Health Care International hospital Clydeside to independent audit in respect of losses to public funds.
§ Mr. StewartAt the request of the Public Accounts Committee, the National Audit Office is currently preparing a factual memorandum on the public sector funding of the Health Care International project. In preparing this memorandum, the NAO has had full access to departmental records on the HCI project and the full co-operation of my right hon. Friend's officials.
The receiver has recently signed an agreement in principle with a preferred bidder for the continued operation of the Clydebank facility and there is therefore every possibility that the project will yet yield the economic development and job creation benefits which the public sector funding was designed to secure.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the company that takes over Health Care International in Clydebank will be eligible for regional selective assistance; what promises have been given to the receiver on this matter; and what are the conditions for the release of any grant assistance.
§ Mr. StewartIf a new investor were prepared to take the project forward, there is no reason in principle why consideration should not be given to transfer of the balance of the existing offer. Such a transfer would be subject to appropriate conditions and be based upon the project being taken forward as previously envisaged. No promises have been given to the receiver on this matter. If the offer was transferred, the unpaid balance of grant would be released in line with the job targets which would otherwise have applied to HCI.