§ Mr. Hurdasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the sums to be paid from public funds during the financial years 1974–75 and 1975–76 in respect of deficits of the nationalised industries, showing in respect of each industry the estimates now applicable and the equivalent estimates as at 28th February 1974.
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§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe following provision for payments amounting to £654.3 million in 1974–75 is made in Supply Estimates:
Except in the case of the British Railways Board and the British Waterways Board provision is based on deficits incurred in the previous financial year; and forecasts produced on 28th February 1974 would have been of very similar magnitude.
£ million National Coal Board 128.5 Electricity Council and boards 176.3 Scottish electricity boards 12.8 British Gas Corporation 41.5 Post Office 123.6 British Railways Board 167.3 British Water Board 4.3 We are reviewing the estimates of revenue support for nationalised industries in respect of 1974–75, and the House will be given further information when this review is completed.
Pending decisions on nationalised industry price increases next year it would be premature to forecast a support figure for 1975–76.