§ Mr. John Smithasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the sale of the British Gas Corporation's interest in the Wytch Farm oilfield.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithBritish Gas is currently engaged on detailed negotiations with a view to finalising a sale to the Dorset group of independent British oil companies. It would not be right for me to make a statement until these negotiations, which are commercially confidential, have been concluded.