HL Deb 22 May 1996 vol 572 c99WA
Lord Shaw of Northstead

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have reached a decision on the shortlist of bidders for HMSO.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)

HMSO was advertised for sale in March, and a large number of organisations expressed interest in the sale. The Government have subsequently received 14 indicative bids, and they have today announced that the following parties have been shortlisted:

  • An independent consortium backed by Mercury Asset Management, 3i and Capita;
  • A Hambro's consortium;
  • National Publishing Group, a consortium led by Electra Fleming;
  • Westminster Information Systems, 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.