Statement on N.Rock on Monday says Brown

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Saturday his finance minister Alistair Darling would make a statement to parliament on Monday on the Northern Rock bank.

"I can confirm that discussions are taking place with private firms that have expressed an interest. I can also confirm that the chancellor (Darling) will make a statement to the House of Commons on Monday on these issues," Brown told reporters on a trip to China.

(Reporting by Adrian Croft, editing by Robert Woodward)