§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the response to the Government's consultative document on the purchase by a company of its own shares, Cmnd. 7944; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NottThe consultative document has received a very full and overwhelmingly favourable response. It is the Government's intention to introduce legislative proposals in the next Companies Bill to allow private and public companies, including investment trust companies, a power to purchase their own shares, subject to appropriate safeguards.