Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions officials or ministers of his Department met Lyonnaise des Eaux before the announcement of the proposed bid for Northumbrian Water. [26317]
§ Mr. HeseltineOfficials from my Department and the Department of the Environment met representatives of Lyonnaise des Eaux on one occasion before the proposed bid was announced. The meeting was concerned with the regulatory issues which any bid would raise.
Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if Ministers or officials in his Department discussed the proposed bid for Northumbrian Water by Lyonnaise des Eaux with Ofwat prior to the announcement taking place. [26318]
§ Mr. HeseltineIn view of the provisions of the Water Industry Act 1991, there were contacts between officials from the Department of the Environment and the Director General of Ofwat about the legal and regulatory implications of the proposed bid. DTI officials were present at one meeting.