§ Mr. Craigenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been raised from the sale of public assets in each fiscal year since 1979–80; what percentage of income to the Treasury these sales represented; and what costs were incurred in the process of the sales in each year.
§ Mr. MooreI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Thurrock (Dr. McDonald) on 16 May 1985 at column191–92, which shows proceeds from special sales of assets and sales of land and buildings since 1979–80. In line with internationally agreed conventions, proceeds from such sales are not treated as income in the "National Accounts". Fees and commissions associated with flotations up to the end of 1984–85 were given in my reply to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair) on 24 May 1985 at column 562–66. Information about the costs incurred by local authorities in connection with sales of land and buildings is not held centrally.