HC Deb 27 July 1981 vol 9 cc277-8W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the names of all the nationalised industries for which he is the sponsoring Minister, all the subsidiary companies of those nationalised industries and the names of all companies in which his Department, or bodies answerable to his Department, have a majority or minority interest.

Mr. Brittan

The Departments for which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible do not sponser any nationalised industries directly. Departments' holdings of shares and other securities are set out in the annual Consolidated Fund account. The Treasury has shareholdings in the following companies:

  • The British Petroleum Company Limited—minority
  • Cable and Wireless Limited—majority

The Treasury's minority shareholding in the British Sugar Corporation was sold on 22 July.

In addition, the Inland Revenue has several holdings of shares which it has acquired in satisfaction of tax and which it intends to realise as soon as practicable.