§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Minister for Science has taken to divest himself of his investments in(a) Diatech Ltd. and (b) Innotech Investments Ltd. [64504]
§ Mr. MandelsonAs my answer to the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) made clear on 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 1050 all the Minister for Science's shareholdings, including those in Diatech and Innotech, have been placed in a blind trust. The blind trust was created on 31 July, 3 days after his appointment, and the legal formalities for transferring the shares were completed shortly afterwards.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken to ensure that no conflict of interests arises in the consideration of matters relating to biotechnology by the Minister for Science. [64409]
§ Mr. MandelsonI refer the right hon. Member to my reply on 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 1050.