Disclosure of Interest

MANCHESTER AIRPORT INQUIRY: DONALDSONS

Donaldsons is acting as an adviser to this inquiry on Manchester Airport.  I am writing to you about a commercial relationship of Donaldsons which indirectly touches on the inquiry.

The work Donaldsons has been doing for us has been carried out at the company's London office (70 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6PE). Donaldsons has informed us, however, that it is also acting as the national property adviser to the Home Office, including the Immigration Service.  The Immigration Service, we understand, has a significant property requirement and one of the options it might consider may well relate to the new office space now being created in Manchester Airport's Ground Transport Interchange development. The work for the Immigration Service is being handled by Donaldsons' Manchester office.

Donaldsons has informed us that the company has operated on a strict 'chinese walls' basis expressly to ensure that there has been no contact between the two parts of the firm concerned; and that its senior partner, Mr John Nettleton has taken personal responsibility for securing the integrity of this arrangement.  Nor has there been any contact between the company's Manchester office and Manchester Airport PLC.

The Commission is satisfied, therefore, that this connexion does not compromise the inquiry or Donaldsons' position as adviser to it. If you believe, however, that there may be a problem in respect of these circumstances, please let me know as soon as possible.

14 October 2002