§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with commercial organisations concerning the future of the overseas press service of the Central Office of Information. [20280]
§ Mr. HanleyThis Department advertised the tender for the future provision of the overseas press service in theOfficial Journal of the European Communities on 16 August 1996. Eleven companies—all British— responded. Following evaluation, six were shortlisted and were visited for on-site presentations and discussions on how they proposed to provide the service if their bid was successful. Negotiations with the preferred bidder are close to finalisation.
§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to privatise the overseas press service of the Central Office of Information. [20281]
§ Mr. HanleyThis Department has been working towards privatisation of the overseas press service on 1 April 1997. Negotiations with the preferred bidder are close to finalisation.