HC Deb 17 April 1956 vol 551 cc838-9
40. Mr. Grimond

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present total indebtedness of the principal nationalised industries to the banks and to the Exchequer.

Mr. H. Brooke

The total amount authorised for temporary bank borrowing by nationalised industries on 31st March, 1956, was £89 million. Exchequer advances are to the National Coal Board only, and amounted to £267 million on the same date.

Mr. Grimond

May I take it from that answer that those are the amounts actually outstanding or authorised? Secondly, how do they compare with the amounts outstanding at the beginning of the credit squeeze?

Mr. Brooke

Those are the amounts authorised. They were not wholly taken up at that time. I would require notice with regard to the second part of the supplementary question.