§ 33. Mr. Alisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to their official holdings in securities of the Suez Finance Company.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsHer Majesty's Government are not seeking to dispose of the shares at present.
§ Mr. AlisonCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us who now controls the company, where most of the assets are held, in Egypt or outside, and how the security of our assets is likely to be affected by recent events in the Middle East, particularly our proposal to withdraw from that area?
§ Mr. JenkinsThe company is under French control and my understanding is that most of the assets are held outside 208 the Middle East. The company is to a very large extent a general investment company.