§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will consider the early introduction of legislation to permit the sale to the general public of up to 49 per cent. of shares in British Gas, with the reservation of some stock for all employees of the industry, it being understood that this would be accompanied by the abandonment both of proposals to sell off showrooms and also of recent Government directives regarding pricing policy and excess profit levies; what would be the likely advantage to the public sector borrowing requirement of such a sale of shares; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI have no plans at present to introduce equity capital in the British Gas Corporation.