§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what remuneration was granted to Mr. Kenneth Holmes for his external services between the dates of appointment and termination of contact; what were the terms of this contact; for what reason the contract ended; who has since assumed responsibility for this role; and what checks have been made into their financial background and interests. [28736]
§ Mr. Oppenheim[holding answer 13 May 1996]: A total of £238,868 was paid to Dellcourts Limited, a company owned and controlled by Mr. Holmes, in respect of his services between 5 February 1991 and 15 April 1995. By the end of this period, the relevant contract had run its full term and was being renewed on a monthly basis.
The external advisers currently assisting the Government office for the south-west on applications from companies for financial assistance are:
- Mr. Rodney Pool of Riverdale Ltd.
- Mr. Terry Scarrott
- Mr. William R. Mountford
Checks on all three have been undertaken on the Insolvency Service and other departmental databases; they have also been asked to supply—for inclusion on a register—details of their financial and other interests in companies.
§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial interests in companies are held by the officials in his Department's south-west regional office. [28737]
309W
§ Mr. Oppenheim[holding answer 13 May 1996]: The work of the Department's former south-west regional office is now performed by the Government office for the south-west which employs 230 officials. Like all public servants, they must not use information gained in their work to advance their financial interests or the financial interests of others, nor must they participate in the taking of any decision which could affect the value of those interests.