§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date Royal Ordnance joined the Federation of European Explosives Manufacturers; which other companies were in membership at the same time; and what contracts and with which countries were entered into under the auspices of the federation. [35344]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThis information is not available from within the Ministry of Defence.
§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many shares his Department held in Royal Ordnance from 1 January 1985 to 1 January 1987; and what percentage this was of the total share issue. [35341]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotRoyal Ordnance plc was incorporated on 2 January 1985, with an authorised share capital of £60 million, in shares of £1, all issued. Until its privatisation in April 1987, all 60 million shares were owned by the Secretary of State for Defence.
§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what trading agreements were entered into by Royal Ordnance from January 1985 to January 1987 which required the agreement of the Secretary of State; and what were the countries involved, the subject matter and precise dates on which such agreements were given. [35339]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotI am not aware of any trading arrangements which required the agreement of the Secretary of State for Defence under the terms of the memorandum of understanding between the Secretary of State and the Chairman of Royal Ordnance plc.