HC Deb 08 February 1999 vol 325 cc51-2W
Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what action has been taken to avoid conflict of interest in respect of the biotechnology responsibilities of the Minister for Science and the Gatsby Trust Foundation; [66696]

(2) what responsibility the Minister for Science has concerning matters which relate to the Gatsby Trust Foundation. [66694]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 20 January 1999]: There is no such body as the Gatsby Trust Foundation. However, the Minister for Science established the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and has made substantial charitable donations to it. However, since his appointment as a Minister he has had no involvement in the Foundation's grant-making decisions. Furthermore, Lord Sainsbury wrote to the Trustees on 31 July 1998 asking them not to disclose or divulge to him any information regarding the investments of the Foundation while he is in Government.