HC Deb 18 June 1996 vol 279 cc456-8W
Mr. Jamieson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the occasions since 1990 on which members of his Department's South West industrial development board have absented themselves from board meetings because of potential conflicts of interests, indicating the(a) date, (b) board members, (c) relevant company, (d) value of the financial assistance applied for and (e) value of assistance subsequently offered. [28753]

Mr. Oppenheim

[holding answer 13 May 1996]: The table lists the occasions on which members of the South West industrial development board are recorded as having, since 1990, absented themselves—because of potential conflicts of interest—from discussions of cases which have subsequently resulted in offers. On two occasions, as noted, they did not physically withdraw. Members have also absented themselves on 14 other occasions after which applications have been rejected or withdrawn without an offer being made.

Date SWIDB members Applicant Assistance applied for £ Assistance offered £
28 June 1995 Roger Harris CH Brannam Ltd. 350,000 225,000
25 October 1995 Roger Harris 2Pall Europe Ltd. 950,000 950,000
29 November 1995 Roger Harris Fryer Workwear Ltd. 250,000 200,000
29 November 1995 Roger Harris Cirbo Ltd. 150,000 125,000
10 April 1996 Roger Harris Harman International Industries Ltd. 950,000 950,000
1 Mr. Gregory was absent from the meeting on 25 May 1994; but he remained for the discussion of the application at the meeting on 27 July 1994 when having declared an interest, it was deemed sufficient for him to remain silent.
2 Mr. Harris having declared an interst, it was deemed sufficient for him to remain for the discussion without participating in any vote on the application.

Mr. Jamieson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many offers of financial assistance have been made since 1985 by his Department's South West industrial development board which have remained unpaid due to the liquidation, receivership or dissolution of the relevant companies by(a) date, (b) type of offer, (c) company and (d) reason for withdrawal of the offer. [30037]

Mr. Oppenheim

[holding answer 20 May 1996]: The following eight offers of grant under the regional selective assistance scheme have been made following advice from the South West industrial development board but will not as a consequence of the companies concerned having gone into liquidation or receivership or having been dissolved, be paid out in full:

Date of offer Company Offer £ Reasons for non-payment
25 August 1988 Orca Aircraft Ltd. 200,000 Receivership
5 December 1988 Strategic Alloys Ltd. 500,000 Receivership
17 April 1990 South West Farm Processors Ltd. 200,000 Receivership
27 June 1990 Crissan Marine Ltd. 120,000 Receivership

Date of offer Company Offer £ Reasons for non-payment
24 July 1992 Lobbs Clotted Cream Ltd 215,000 Receivership
6 September 1993 ROM-Date Corporation Ltd 848,500 Liquidation
17 September 1993 Redruth Brewery Ltd 480,000 Receivership
23 December 1993 Porthcurno Management Co. Ltd. 500,000 Liquidation

Mr. Jamieson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if Mr. X, whose identity has been supplied to him, of his Department's South West industrial development board is required to absent himself from board meetings where there may be a potential conflict of interest due to his partnership in company W. [30036]

Mr. Oppenheim

[holding answer 20 May 1996]: Yes, although for one case it was exceptionally deemed sufficient, Mr. X having declared an interest, for him to remain provided that he did not take part in any vote on the case.