§ 21. Mr. Morrisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that no announcement regarding the sale of Richard Thomas and Baldwins will be made during the Summer Recess.
§ Mr. BarberIt would not at any time be appropriate for me to give such an assurance.
§ Mr. MorrisWill the Economic Secretary tell the House during which Recess it is intended to sell Richard 1634 Thomas and Baldwins? Is it intended to sell it and follow the pattern of last year, when Llanelly Steel was sold three days after the House had gone down for the Recess, Staveley Iron in September, and S. G. Brown during the Whitsun Recess?
§ Mr. BarberI am sure that the hon. Gentleman knows—at least, if he has read the explanations which were given he should know—that his implications as to what happened in connection with those other companies are quite unfounded. The Government have stated their general policy on this matter. I cannot accept, neither can my right hon. and learned Friend, extra-statutory restrictions on carrying out a policy which has been approved by Parliament and embodied in legislation.