§ Baroness Miller of Hendonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether as the sole shareholder they had prior knowledge of and approved of the opening of negotiations, which subsequently proved to be abortive, for the sale of Consignia at a time when, according to the new chairman, Mr Allan Leighton, "the Company is haemorrhaging cash". [HL3890]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)Consignia notified the department about its intention to explore the possibility of a merger of its postal activities with the Dutch Post Office (TPG) and Ministers indicated that they were content for the company to do so.
§ Baroness Miller of Hendonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the name Consignia has now been wholly changed back to "The Post Office"; and, if so, at what cost. [HL3891]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleNo, it has not.
§ Baroness Miller of Hendonasked Her Majesty's Government:
As the sole shareholder in Consignia, whether they were consulted by the management of Consignia in connection with the change of name of the company to and from Consignia. [HL3894]
139WA
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe choice of name of the Post Office company and the cost of its implementation were essentially commercial matters for the company, and although Ministers were informed of the company's intention, it was not an area in which government would have sought to intervene.