§ 25. Mr. Eggarasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he detects any sign of improvement in the finances of the company sector.
§ Mr. LawsonCompany finances improved strongly last year. During the first three quarters of 1983 the profits of industrial and commercial companies, net of stock appreciation, increased by about 25 per cent. Their higher financial surplus allowed them to achieve a marked strengthening of their liquidity positions. This improvement is now being reflected in the buoyant investment intentions revealed in recent DTI and CBI surveys.