§ Q12. Mr. Eggarasked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on progress in the introduction of private capital into the public sector.
§ The Prime MinisterWe have made clear our willingness to consider the introduction of private capital into the public sector, where this can produce improvements in efficiency at least sufficient to offset any extra costs and provided the finance is raised in fair318W competition with the private sector. It has not proved easy to identify schemes which meet these criteria, but various proposals are still under discussion. More generally, the privatisation programme outlined in our manifesto remains a key element in our economic strategy, and will be pursued with renewed vigour in this Parliament.