§ Mr. McLoughlinasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a further statement about the British Gas offer for sale.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerA pathfinder prospectus—that is, a prospectus subject to revision and without a price for the shares—is being published today. Copies are available in the Library of the House and in the Vote Office. Preliminary registration statements will also be filed in the United States, Canada and Japan. I intend to offer the shares for sale on Friday 21 November with the prospectus being widely distributed on Tuesday 25 November and the last date for receipt of applications being Wednesday 3 December.