§ 38. Mr. Lennox-Boydasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement as to the progress of his policy with regard to introducing private capital into the nationalised industries.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneIn recent discussions in NEDC, we have reaffirmed our endorsement of the principle of the introduction of private capital into nationalised industries provided this is calculated to induce improvements in efficiency at least sufficient to offset any extra cost, and provided the finance is raised in fair competition with the private sector.
§ 42. Mr. Flanneryasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to increase the level of public investment in the nationalised industries.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneNationalised industries' investment on fixed assets in the United Kingdom in 1982–83 is planned to be 26 per cent. higher than the estimated outturn in 1981–82. We continue to encourage profitable investment by nationalised industries where this can be shown to benefit the taxpayer and the consumer.