---

Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Jamieson: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the role of Mr. A, Mr. B, and Mr. C, whose names have been supplied to him, in the application for a regional selective assistance grant by Synex Ltd. [6234] Mr. Lang: [holding answer 27 November 1996]: In the application by Synex Ltd, Mr. A. provided independent accountancy advice under the terms of his contract with the Government Office for the South West. Further details are contained in my reply of 10 December 1996, Official Report, column 87-88. Mr. B. and Mr. C. were, at the time of the Synex application, both members of the South West industrial development board--SWIDB--which provides independent advice on applications for regional selective assistance. The board comprises senior business people with wide experience of commerce and industry who, like Mr. B. and Mr. C., voluntarily give their time freely in support of the important work that the SWIDB performs. Details of the attendance of Mr. B and Mr. C at board meetings which considered the Synex case are contained in my replies of 10 December 1996, Official Report, column 88. I understand that it is also the case that Mr. B and Mr. C had some private discussions with Synex Ltd. They were responsible for declaring any interests which may have arisen from these discussion and my replies of 10 December 1996, Official Report, column 88 reflect the outcome of this. The decision on the Synex case was taken by my Department on 19 May 1995. The company appealed against the decision on 31 May 1995 and Mr. C provided advice to the Government Office for the South West on 29 June 1995 as part of a further technical assessment. Although Mr. C had previously declared an interest in the case and had not participated in board discussions leading up to the decision, the Government Office believed that he could properly make a contribution at this stage on the technical aspects alone. The Department's decision to reject the case was confirmed on 31 July 1995.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

6234; 287 c428W

Session

1996-97

Subjects

Accountancy Regional selective assistance Synex