HC Deb 22 May 1996 vol 278 c191W
Mr. Patrick Thompson

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has reached a decision on the short-list of bidders for HMSO. [30789]

Mr. Freeman

HMSO was advertised for sale in March, and a large number of organisations expressed interest in the sale. We subsequently received 14 indicative bids, and I am pleased to announce that the following parties have been short-listed:

  • an independent consortium backed by Mercury Asset Management, 3i and Capita;
  • a Hambros consortium;
  • National Publishing Group, a consortium led by Electra Fleming;
  • Westminster Information System, led by NatWest Ventures.

Each of these will now prepare final bids based on detailed information about HMSO and discussions with its management and staff.