§ Mr. Russell Kerrasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has paid any public dividend capital to British Aerospace.
§ Mr. VarleyI have today, with the approval of the Treasury, paid to British Aerospace £27 million of public dividend capital, which, together with advances from the National Loans Fund, will enable it to repay loans to one of the parents of the vesting companies. The public dividend capital has been provided out of the Contingencies Fund. I shall be seeking the approval of the House for a Supplementary Estimate in due course. In the meantime any further advances of public dividend capital will also be provided out of the Contingencies Fund.