asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to which group or groups of investment bankers in the United States of America His Majesty's Government sold 95 per cent of the Courtauld holding in the American Viscose Corporation?

As the reply contains a list of the names of 17 firms, I am having it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the list of firms purchasing shares in American Viscose Corporation from His Majesty's Treasury:

• Morgan Stanley and Company Incorporated.
• Dillon Read and Company.
• Blyth and Company Incorporated.
• Clark, Dodge and Company.
• Dominick and Dominick.
• The First Boston Corporation.
• Goldman, Sachs and Company.
• Harriman Ripley and Company Incorporated.
• Hemphill, Noyes and Company.
• Kidder, Peabody and Company.
• Kuhn, Loeb and Company.
• Lehman Brothers.
• Mellon Securities Corporation.
• Shields and Company.
• Smith, Barney and Company.
• Union Securities Corporation.
• White, Weld and Company.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the names and occupations of those who counselled him in the sale of the American Viscose Corporation?

No, Sir.

Should I be wrong in suggesting that possibly it was Sir Edward Peacock who advised the Chancellor?

No, the hon. Member must not put too much faith in his own accuracy in the matter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman pay any regard to what is stated in reputable American newspapers as to what has been going on?

I give due weight to all these matters, including representations made to me by the hon. Member.