HC Deb 14 July 1997 vol 298 c68W
Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe established a blind trust for his non-British Petroleum shareholdings. [7552]

Mrs. Beckett

Lord Simon's trust holdings have been in a discretionary trust since they were established. He has had no sole right of decision on these investments, and will have no power of decision in future. Lord Simon decided to transfer his non-trust holdings into a blind trust in accordance with guidance in "Questions of Procedures for Ministers" on his appointment as Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe and set in hand the necessary arrangements. The legal structure of this transfer was proposed on 18 June. Legal finalisation is now proceeding. Lord Simon refrained from giving any trading instructions to his bank in respect of any of these investments following his appointment.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when and how her Department was informed that the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe should be kept apart from any information or decisions which could affect British Petroleum. [7550]

Mrs. Beckett

From the date of his appointment the Minister's private office has made sure, as agreed between Lord Simon and the Permanent Secretary, that no papers on matters having a bearing on BP are seen by the Minister, and that he is not invited to meetings to discuss BP issues.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when and by whom it was decided that the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe could not be involved in matters affecting British Petroleum. [7548]

Mrs. Beckett

As would be expected, the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe decided for himself on the day of his appointment that he should not be involved in matters affecting British Petroleum.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had concerning the compliance of the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe with procedures for Ministers. [7553]

Mrs. Beckett:

I sought confirmation about the position reached on arrangements for handling his investments on the afternoon of 3 July, following which I wrote to the right hon. Member on 4 July.

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