§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate has has now made of the external financing limits of the National Coal Board and the electricity industries of England and Wales for 1985–86 and 1986–87 in arriving at the planning totals announced in the Budget.
§ Mr. Peter ReesIt is too soon to forecast the external financing requirements of the National Coal Board and the electricity supply industry in 1985–86 and 1986–87, but the figures are under review. Any net increase over existing provision included in Cmnd. 9428 for 1985–86 would be a charge to the reserve of £5 billion which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced in his Budget Statement. The 1986–87 figures will be considered during the 1985 Public Expenditure Survey.