HC Deb 19 July 1995 vol 263 cc1563-4W
Mr. Jamieson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date Mr. John Dawson and Mr. Brad Shephard, formerly directors of Rom Data Corporation in Cornwall, were last interviewed by his Department, and for what reason; and when his Department next intends to interview Mr. Dawson in relation to the company. [34652]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

[holding answer 18 July 1995]: A departmental official met Mr. Brad Shephard on 29 October 1993 in connection with earlier grant payments. So far as the future is concerned, the company is in the hands of the liquidators, and the Department will review any action following their report.

Mr. Jamieson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations were received by his Department in relation to the grant to Rom Data Corporation of Falmouth in 1994; and whether they contained any unfavourable reports about the company or its directors. [34651]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

[holding answer 18 July 1995]: No grant was paid to the company in 1994. Various exchanges took place with the company and its bankers in connection with the small firms loan guarantee. My hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Coe) wrote to the Government office for the south-west in December 1994 drawing attention to the company's problems.

Mr. Jamieson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 2 March,Official Report, column 720, what action he intends to take against the directors of Rom Data Corporation in Cornwall. [34653]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

[holding answer 18 July 1995]: The company is still in the hands of the liquidators who have yet to report their findings. When they have done so I will consider what action, if any, it is necessary to take.

Mr. Jamieson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 2 March,Official Report, column 719, if his Department was aware of the previous business and bankruptcy records of directors of Rom Data Corporation in Cornwall before making grants to the company in (a) 1991–92 and (b) 1994. [34648]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

[holding answer 18 July 1995]: The Department made certain inquiries into the background of the directors prior to the offer of grant in 1991. However, the bankruptcy record referred to did not come to light at the time.

No grants were offered in 1994.

Mr. Jamieson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what factors influenced his Department when making a grant in 1994 to Rom Data, Cornwall; and if he will make a statement. [34649]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

[holding answer 18 July 1995]: No grant was offered to the company in 1994. The National Westminster Bank decided to make a loan available to the company under the Department's small firms loan guarantee scheme.

Mr. Jamieson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date his Department was first contacted by hon. Members in relation to Rom Data Corporation in Cornwall. [34650]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

[holding answer 18 July 1995]: Contact was first made on 3 December 1992.