§ Mr. Robert Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation he has had with Royal Dutch Shell in connection with the sale of Shell Italiana to ENI, the National Hydrocarbon Corporation ; and whether he has been consulted in connection with the raising of the purchase price estimated at £300 million by a British bank consortium.
§ Sir G. HoweI am aware that negotiations are in progress but understand that no final decision has yet been taken.