§ Mr. Andrew MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the rise in company profitability in 1987.
§ Mr. MajorThe profitability of non-North sea industrial and commercial companies is provisionally estimated to have risen by 1½ percentage points between 1986 and 1987, to 10½ per cent.—the highest level for about 20 years.