	decision expected on u k royal ordnance sale u k defence secretary george younger is expected to announce the government s decision on the sale of state owned arms manufacturer royal ordnance today parliamentary sources said the government originally intended to float the munitions and explosives concern on the stock market but last july said a private sale was a more appropriate way to dispose of the firm the bidders for the company were british aerospace plc bael l and engineering group gkn plc gkn l royal ordnance sold its leeds tank factory last summer to vickers plc vick l defence electronics manufacturer ferranti plc fnti l and shipping and property group trafalgar house plc thsl l both pulled out of the bidding shortly before last month s deadline royal ordnance made pre tax profits of mln stg on sales of mln stg in calendar its first full year of commercial operation the company has assets of around mln stg and employs at sites in britain other state held companies earmarked for privatisation this year include engine maker rolls royce plc and the british airports authorities plc reuter 
