§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further disposals from the strategic mineral stockpile will be effected during 1987–88; and on what basis the sales will take place.
§ Mr. ChannonPlans are being made for the disposal in 1987–88 of about one quarter of the present contents of the strategic mineral stockpile.
The material will be offered for sale on a competitive tender basis, in the first instance to those companies for which the material was purchased. No price preference will be given. Disposals will continue to take place in a manner which seeks to avoid undue disruption of the market.