HC Deb 13 November 1980 vol 992 cc328-9W
Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list (a) the disposals made by the National Enterprise Board, including the total money realised by each since June 1979 and (b) any receiverships or liquidations of companies in which the National Enterprise Board had shareholdings since January 1979.

Mr. Adam Butler

Since June 1979 the NEB has sold its shareholdings in Brown Boveri Kent (Holdings) Ltd., Barrow Hepburn Group Ltd., Fairey Holdings Ltd., Ferranti Ltd., ICL Ltd., Hird Brown Ltd., Middle East Building Services Ltd., Newtown Securities (Northern) Ltd., RR Chapman (Sub-Sea Surveys) Ltd. In addition the NEB has also transferred its shareholding in Rolls Royce Ltd. to my right hon. Friend. Since January 1979 the following companies in which the NEB had shareholdings have gone into receivership or liquidation: ASR Servotron Ltd., British Tanners Products Ltd., Herbert Ltd., J & P Engineering Ltd., Mayflower Packaging Ltd., Pakmet International Ltd., Technical Resources (Equipment) Ltd., Vicort of London Ltd. Disposals proceeds which have been published are as follows: Brown Boveri Kent (£2.6 million), Barrow Hepburn (£0.3 million), Fairy (22.0 million), Ferranti (£54.2 million) and ICL (£38.0 million). Details about the proceeds from other disposals are a matter for the board.

Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the total number of National Enterprise Board employees, both at the Grosvenor Gardens, S.W.1 office and in the regional board offices.

Mr. Adam Butler

This a matter for the board.