§ Mr. Leeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the most recent estimates of the values, respectively, of British-owned overseas portfolio investments and of British-owned fixed assets outside the United Kingdom; and which 12 overseas countries rank first in importance as far as such investments are concerned.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe most recent estimates of United Kingdom direct and portfolio investments overseas are published in table 32 of "United Kingdom Balance of Payments 1965–75" published by the Central Statistical Office, which is available in the Library. No country breakdown is available of portfolio investments. For direct investments, excluding oil companies, there are statistics relating to end-1971 in the Department of Industry's "Business Monitor M4 1972, Part II," which is also available in the Library.