§ Mrs. Rumboldasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the 1981 report and accounts of the Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board will be laid before Parliament; and if he will make a further statement on the disposal of the board's Australian property assets.
§ Mr. Neil MartenThe 1981 report and accounts are being laid before Parliament today. As soon as they are available, published copies of the report and accounts will be placed in the Library of both Houses.
In my reply on 8 April 1982 to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson)—[Vol. 21, c. 453]—I said that the Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board had concluded with the Australian Mutual Provident Society a contract for the sale of its Australian properties. The sale was completed on 29 June. The final surplus payable to Government is subject to minor adjustment, but £12 million has already been paid in to the Consolidated Fund and further small amounts are expected in the coming months.