asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the extent of the increase in the capitalised value of property company assets in the last three years.

The net assets at book value of large property companies both quoted and unquoted included in my Department's analysis of company accounts increased by 17 per cent. in 1970, and 19 per cent. in 1971. Figures so far available for 1972 show an increase of 30 per cent., but these relate to less than half the companies covered.