HC Deb 14 July 1988 vol 137 cc304-5W
23. Mr. Janman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the proportion of the state-owned commercial sector which will have been transferred to the private sector from 1979 to the end of this year.

56. Mr. Bowis

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the proportion of the state-owned commercial sector which will have been transferred to the private sector from 1979 to the end of this year.

73. Mr. Charles Wardle

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the proportion of the state-owned commercial sector which will have been transferred to the private sector from 1979 to the end of this year.

86. Mr. Boswell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the proportion of the state-owned commercial sector which will have been transferred to the private sector from 1979 to the end of this year.

Mr. Brooke

Around 40 per cent. of the state-owned sector of industry has been transferred to the private sector since 1979. The proportion which will have been transferred to the private sector by the end of this year depends on the timing of future privatisations, which has not yet been decided. When the further privatisations so far announced have been completed some 60 per cent. of the state-owned sector will have been transferred to the private sector.

92. Mr. Fallon

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the progress of the privatisation programme.

Mr. Norman Lamont

The Government have privatised 17 major companies and returned around 40 per cent. of the state-owned sector of industry to the private sector since 1979. The privatisation programme is set to continue; the privatisations of British Steel and the electricity and water industries have already been announced.