asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the latest position on the Vehicle and General and the losses incurred by policyholders.

I understand that the joint liquidators of the Vehicle and General Insurance Company Limited expect to pay an interim dividend of about 25p in the £ to the unsecured creditors within the next few weeks. Further dividends will be paid as soon as possible, and on present information creditors should ultimately receive not less than 50p in the £ on their claims.