asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish and place in the Library a list of those British companies where the percentage of foreign shareholding ownership exceeds 50 per cent., and of those British companies where the percentage is more than 25 per cent. but less than 50 per cent; and whether he is satisfied that effective safeguards exist against surreptitious extension of foreign influence and control.

The provision of such lists which would probably not be comprehensive would involve breaches of confidentiality and a disproportionate cost. I consider that effective safeguards exist.