§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Industry, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West on Thursday 2nd March, why the consideration received by the National Enterprise Board for the sale of its shares in Newbury Laboratories Ltd., approved by him on 10th August 1977, is considered to be commercially confidential.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe Data Recording Instrument Co. Ltd., which acquired these shares from the Board, may show the consideration given when its publishes its accounts for the relevant period. Meanwhile, since the sale was not in response to a public oiler, the information is confidential, in accordance with normal commercial practice.