To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria he uses in deciding the relative priority to be accorded to (a) cutting income tax rates; (b) increasing expenditure on overseas aid to the level of the United Kingdom commitment to 0·7 per cent. of gross national product.

The latest plans show increased provision for the overseas aid programme, which is now projected to grow by 3 per cent. in real terms between 1986–87 and 1990–91.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the economy he estimates will remain in public hands at the end of the next parliamentary Session.

No decision has yet been taken on the timing of future asset sales.