To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will consider the provision of support for retaining the (a) jobs and (b) skills of the workforce of Jarvis plc. (325783)

The Government regret that, despite the support provided through the HMRC Time To Pay scheme, Jarvis Plc was unable to continue to trade. There are two principal parts of the business, the rail businesses and the Facilities Management services for PFI contracts. With regard to the rail businesses BIS are offering all available support through Jobcentre Plus and the Regional Development Agencies. This support is to help those made redundant back into the workforce, including facilitating contacts with other employers in the Rail Industry, to ensure that, where possible, their valuable skills are retained. For the Facilities Management business we and colleagues in HMT and Partnerships UK are liaising with the Administrators to work towards a smooth transition of the business and staff to new ownership.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with the Office of Rail Regulation on the entry into administration of Jarvis plc. (325784)

I have spoken to Bill Emery, the Office of Rail Regulation’s chief executive on 1 April and Ian Prosser, Chief Inspector of Railways and Director of Railway Safety at the Office of Rail Regulation on 7 April.