§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what information he has on the average rate of return currently being obtained by the private sector in the United Kingdom for new capital projects.
§ Mr. AtkinsNo information is available on rates of return obtained on new capital projects. Real rates of return on capital employed for industrial and commercial companies are calculated from national accounts statistics and published inBritish Business, most recently on 30 September 1988. The net real rate of return on capital employed for industrial and commercial companies excluding North sea activities in 1987 was estimated at 10 per cent. the highest since 1969.