§ Mr. Mike Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total subsidy given to the National Coal Board, British Gas Corporation and electricity industry, respectively, in each of the past five years; and what are his estimates for the current year and 1977–78 of the respective figures and his policies in this respect.
§ Mr. BennThe information requested is set out in the following tables in terms of payments in the financial years concerned. The year 1975–76 is expected to be the last for which compensation for price restraint will be paid. The Government's general policy is that the nationalised industries should operate without subsidies. We have, however, acknowledged an obligation to assist the coal industry with the burden of the past and to provide support for its operations in certain circumstances.
487W
NATIONAL COAL BOARD £million 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76†§ 1976–77†§ 1977–78†§ Grants in connection with pit closures 8.5 9.3 9.1 17.0 9.1 9.4 10.3 10.3 Reimbursement of contributions to early retirement benefits 2.3 0.8 1.2 2.5 3.3 3.1 1.4 1.3 Reimbursement of contributions towards increased pensions — — — 8.3 8.3 8.4 — — Contribution towards deficiency in Mineworkers' Pension Scheme — — — — — 9.6 18.0 18.0 Operational grants — — — 109.0 3.3 44.4 —‡ —‡ Grants to meet deficits on revenue account — 100.0 — 2.5 128.2 — — — Debt written off in capital reconstruction — — 449.6* — — — — — Total for Year 10.8 110.1 459.9 139.3 152.2 74.9 29.7 29.6 * Includes £174.5 million in respect of accumulated revenue losses to the end of March 1973. † 1976 Survey Prices. ‡ Decisions yet to be taken. § Estimates.
BRITISH GAS CORPORATION £ million 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77* 1977–78* Compensation for additional gasification of coal and production of coke 0.6 — — — — — — — Compensation for accelerated investment — — — 0.4 — 0.2 0.1 — Compensation for price restraint — — — 33.4 41.5 23.6† 7.0 — Total for Year 0.6 — — 33.8 41.5 23.8 7.1 — * Estimates. † Advance under section 1(4) of the Statutory Corporations (Financial Provisions) Act 1975. Payment of compensation not yet authorised. 488W
ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY (ENGLAND AND WALES) £ million 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77*‡ 1977–78*‡ Compensation for price restraint … … — — — 92.3 176.3 302.6‡ 21.6 — Compensation for additional stock build … … — — 19.9 5.0 — — — — Payments for the cost of additional coal burn … … 0.7 0.8 — — — — — — Compensation for accelerated investment … … — — — 0.7 4.4 9.6 9.7 6.3 Total for Year … … 0.7 0.8 19.9 98.0 180.7 312.2 31.3 6.3 * Estimates. † Includes £43.4 million advanced under section 1(4) of the Statutory Corporations (Financial Provisions) Act 1975. ‡ 1976 Survey Prices.