§ 35. Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in implementing Her Majesty's Government's policy on privatisation in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ViggersNegotiations are continuing with parties interested in acquiring Harland and Wolff. An information memorandum was issued on 10 January to a selected number of possible acquirers of Shorts and more detailed discussions will take place with them. The Government are at present considering a report by consultants on the options available for privatising Northern Ireland Electricity, and it will make its proposals known in due course.