Written Answers
Government Shareholdings
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list those companies in which they are a shareholder and to indicate in each case the proportion of the company's shares held.
The following is the information, in the form requested:
| Company | Percentage of company's shares held by the Government |
| Beagle Aircraft Ltd | 100% |
| British Channel Tunnel Company Ltd | 100% |
| British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. (a) | 100% |
| British Petroleum Co. Ltd. | 51% (including the proportion held by the Bank of England) |
| British Sugar Corporation | 24·18% |
| Drake and Scull Holdings Ltd. | 7·76% |
| Harland and Wolff Ltd | 100% |
| John Hastie and Co.Ltd.(in receivership) | 63% |
| John Hastie of Greenock (Holdings) Ltd. | 47% |
| Kearney and Trecker Marwin Ltd. | 26·46% |
| KTM Machine Tools (Holdings) Ltd. | 77·78% |
| Kintyre Farmers Ltd. | 0·002% |
| Marathon Shipbuilding Co. (UK) Ltd. | 55·39% |
| Mersey Docks and Harbour Co. | 20·67% |
| National Nuclear Corporation (a) | 35% |
| Norton Villiers Triumph Ltd. | 21·56% |
| Radiochemical Centre Ltd.(a) | 100% |
| Short Bros. Ltd. (b) | 96·28% |
| SB (Realisations) Ltd. | 100% |
| Suez Finance Co. Ltd. | 7·76% |
| Toplis and Harding (Middle East) Ltd. (in liquidation) | 99·8% |
| Triang Pedigree Ltd. | 95% |
| Upper Clyde Shipbuilders (in liquidation) | 48·4% |
| West Highland Crofters and Farmers Ltd. | 0·017% |
| Wolverhampton Industrial Engines Ltd. | 2·4% |
Human Rights And Aid Policy Seminar
asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the Ministry of Overseas Development declined an invitation to send a representative to the seminar on Human Rights and Aid Policy organised by the Latin America Bureau on Friday 28th April 1978; and how this refusal can be reconciled with the policy of open government.
In declining this invitation, there was no question of wishing to conceal information or of denying open government. It was thought to be inappropriate for officials to take part in discussion on the subject of human rights and aid, to which the Government attach great importance, because it is one which rightly attracts strong and possibly conflicting political views. My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Overseas Development much regretted her own inability to attend the seminar and would gladly give the noble Lord any information she can provide on topics which he wishes to pursue.
Thames Flood Barrier
asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made on the construction of the Thames flood barrier and when it will be operational.
Construction of the southern half of the barrier and the associated gates and machinery is well advanced and work is now beginning on the northern piers. The GLC estimate that under the present programme the barrier will be operational by late 1982.House adjourned at thirteen minutes before midnight.