HC Deb 19 January 1999 vol 323 cc438-9W
Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs was appointed; when he received his first red box; and when he first went to his departmental office. [65622]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 14 January 1999): The Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs was appointed on 28 July 1998. He first went to the Department on 29 July 1998 and received his first red box on 30 July 1998.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister for Science was appointed; when he received his first red box; and when he first went to his departmental office. [65621]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: The Minister for Science was appointed on 28 July. He received his first Ministerial box on Tuesday 11 August and first went to his departmental office on 30 July.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry was appointed; when he received his first red box; and when he first went to his departmental office. [65624]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: The Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry was appointed on 4 January 1999. He has not received any red boxes to date, preferring to work from the Department. He first went into his departmental office on 5 January 1999.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he was appointed; when he received his first red box; and when he first went to his departmental office. [65623]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: I was appointed on 23 December 1998. I received my first red box on Christmas Eve, having been in my departmental office during the course of that day.