HC Deb 07 November 1979 vol 973 cc179-80W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to give further details of the Government's plans for the sale of State-owned assets.

Mr. Lawson

As part of the programme for the disposal of £1 billion public sector assets in 1979–80, which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget speech, the Government have sold their holding of 710,150 French franc shares in the Suez Finance Company to the Banque de l'Indochine et de Suez. The sale has been arranged by the Bank of England. A token Estimate will be presented to the House in due course to provide for the expenses of the sale. Net proceeds from the disposal amount to some £22 million.