§ Mr. Skeetasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to public funds of taking a 25 per cent. interest in the first 25 of the 100 leading British companies as listed in The Times List of Industries.
§ Mr. HigginsBased on current market valuation, the cost would be about £2,900 million. This figure omits British Petroleum, in which the Government already have an interest greater than 25 per cent., and four non-quoted companies. The next five companies in the Times list have been included to bring the total number of 25.