HC Deb 21 October 2003 vol 411 cc523-4W
Lady Hermon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken to assist Carpets International (UK) Ltd. since it went into receivership; and if he will make a statement. [133188]

Mr. Pearson

Since Carpets International (UK) Ltd. went into receivership on 20 August 2003, officials from Invest NI, the Department of Employment and Learning and the Social Security Agency have maintained close links with all relevant parties associated with this case.

Invest NI received a project plan from a management buy out (MBO) team on 17 October 2003. This plan is currently being appraised. As regards the employees made redundant by the company, links have been made available to them to local job agencies, job clinics and the Social Security Agency. I am also aware that local employers have offered positions to suitable applicants from the Carpet International plants at Killinchy and Donaghadee.

Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the likelihood of a successful outcome for a management buy-out at Carpets International; and if he will make a statement. [133235]

Mr. Pearson

Officials from Invest NI met the management buy out (MBO) team from Carpets International, Donaghadee and their advisers on Friday 17 October 2003 having been in touch with them on a number of previous occasions. At that meeting Invest NI was presented with the MBO team's business plan. The business plan is being appraised by Invest NI and it would be inappropriate to make an assessment at this early stage.