§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Energy if, when he next meets the chairman of the British Gas Corporation, he will raise with him the corporation's action in advising employees in the gas industry that they should not offer comment upon the subject of privatisation outside working hours; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNo. Employee relations are a matter for the British Gas Corporation.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the expenditure which will be incurred in promoting the sale of British Gas during the next financial year and in meeting the costs, fees and charges to which this sale will lead.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithEstimates povision for expenditure on the sale of British Gas will be sought in the usual way. Main supply estimates for the Department's expenditure in 1986–87 will be published on 18 March.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what information has been provided by his Department to foreign stock markets in regard to preparations for the privatisation of the British Gas Corporation.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithGoldman Sachs, Wood Gundy, Nomura and Swiss Bank Corporation International have been appointed to advise on possible overseas sales of British Gas shares. Foreign stock markets have not yet been approached.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimate he has now made of the receipts which will accrue from the planned sale of British Gas in each of the next three financial years.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 16 January at column634.