Extract from Urgent
Question (Commons) on Interserve
(Caithness, Sutherland and
Easter Ross) (LD): Thinking about the defence of our
country, Interserve is doing great work for our armed forces in
bases such as the Falklands, Ascension Island and elsewhere. As
the Minister said, the trouble has largely been caused by the
activities of two hedge funds—sheer speculation. What measures or
reforms might the Government consider to prevent these activities
from getting in the way of our vital national security?
The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Oliver
Dowden): I understand the hon. Gentleman’s frustration
with the behaviour of some of the hedge funds concerned, and
their failure to agree to this refinancing. However, I reassure
him that there will be no change to the delivery of any contracts
that Interserve carries out, including the ones that he listed.
Those services are being delivered in exactly the same way today
as they were on Friday; there has been no change in jobs, no
changes in pensions and no change in the delivery of those
services.
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Extract from Lords
Business Statement
(Con): My Lords,
I had responsibility for taking the whole Maastricht Act through
Parliament, and I know that it was virtually impossible to
determine more than 48 hours ahead how long the debate would be
on any one of the 542 amendments tabled to it. Not a single
person, on any side of the House, forecast that it would take 25
days in Committee, with three all-night sittings. Secondly, some
noble Lords will have lived through the period of the Falklands
War. Who could have forecast that Parliament would have to
assemble at less than 24 hours’ notice, on a Saturday morning, to
debate the Falklands? My noble friend has a difficulty. He has
been generous in what he has offered us this afternoon, and we
should trust him. He has said that he is involving noble Lords on
the Opposition Benches and that they have responded; I, for one,
will trust all three Chief Whips to keep us as informed as they
are able...
