§ 85. Mr. Grimondasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to giving financial assistance to private companies and on the methods by which they propose to safeguard the public interest in the use by these companies of such assistance.
§ Sir E. BoyleThe Government offer financial assistance to private companies only in exceptional circumstances and where the public interest justifies it—for example, to relieve high unemployment, or for defence purposes. Such assistance is given in accordance with Parliamentary authority and only after the most careful examination of all relevant factors. The public interest in the use of the assistance is safeguarded by special conditions written into agreements between private companies and the Government, and by the normal requirements of accountability to Parliament.