asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when arranging future sales of Government assets, he will make use of financial institutions in other parts of the United Kingdom, as well as in London, to handle such sales.

A prime concern in any sale of Government assets must be to achieve the best possible price for the Government. In view of the size of the operations, it is inevitable that the larger institutions must be engaged in the leading roles; and these tend generally to be based in London. I fully recognise, however, the contribution which many firms throughout the country can make to such operations.