§ 16. Mr. LoveTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the register of government assets to be completed; and when he will publish the results. [6194]
§ Mr. DarlingThe Government are planning to complete the register of Government assets and will publish it by November, as we promised in our manifesto.
§ Mr. LoveMay I take this opportunity to welcome the fact that the Government are producing their register in November? Their willingness to publish the results show that they are committed to openness and transparency in their economic policy. I also welcome the fact that, for the first time since the Domesday hook, the Government have a complete list of what they own. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Government can make more informed use of their assets by knowing exactly what they own?
§ Mr. DarlingMany people would find it astonishing that the Government have not, until now, known what they own. As my hon. Friend said, for the first time, this November we will be able to show what the Government own. We intend to publish that register because it will enable the Government to make decisions about how best to use public assets in a way that people find acceptable and put them to their optimal use.