§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has now been made with the sale of Thomas Cook & Son Limited.
§ Mr. PeytonThe Transport Holding Company tells me that 16 firms or groups submitted preliminary memoranda. Answers to questions they submitted were dispatched on 10th March in accordance with the timetable in the prospectus. Cook's results for the financial year ending 31st October, 1971, are being sent to bidders today. Copies will be placed in the Library. It had been hoped to issue them rather earlier. In the circumstances the date for receipt of cash offers will be 14th—not 6th—April.