§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has received from the National Enterprise Board any communication pertaining to the offer on behalf of private interests to purchase for £19.5 million its shareholding in Fairey Holdings Limited; and what response he has made in the light of the Government's policy of recovering £100 million by returning companies owned by the board to private enterprise.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallMy right hon. Friend has had no communication from the board on this matter. My noble Friend announced in another place on 18 February that the Government no longer think is necessary for the board to realise £100 million from disposals of shareholdings in the current financial year, although it remains the Government's policy that the board should dispose of all of its shareholdings as soon as practicable.