Written question asked by Mike Gapes (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 March 1997. It was answered by Jeremy Hanley (Conservative) on Monday, 17 March 1997 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: What discussions his Department has had with commercial organisations concerning the future of the Overseas Press Service of the Central Office of Information.

Answer: Mr. Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with commercial organisations concerning the future of the overseas press service of the Central Office of Information. [20280] Mr. Hanley: This Department advertised the tender for the future provision of the overseas press service in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 16 August 1996. Eleven companies--all British-- responded. Following evaluation, six were shortlisted and were visited for on-site presentations and discussions on how they proposed to provide the service if their bid was successful. Negotiations with the preferred bidder are close to finalisation.

Secondary information