HC Deb 13 March 1989 vol 149 c102W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Department of Trade and Industry in 1979–80 and each year to date; and whit is the estimate for 1989–90.

Mr. Forth

The following table, based on information already published, shows gross expenditure incurred by the Department of Trade and Industry in connection with the sale of shares in British Aerospace, British Steel, British Telecom, Rolls Royce, and Rover Group plc since 1979–80, together with an estimate for expenditure in 1989–90. The figures exclude subscriptions for new shares and injections of funds for capital restructuring but include commission and some relatively minor items (including stamp duty) which were not paid as fees to outside organisations. The Department also incurred expenses in 1986–87 under a single contract in connection with the sale of certain British Shipbuilders' yards. but these are excluded on the ground of commercial confidentiality:

Company Year Amount £ thousands
British Aerospace 1980–81 4,635
British Aerospace 1981–82 887
British Aerospace 1984–85 69
British Aerospace 1985–86 16,740
British Aerospace 1986–87 717
Total 23,048
British Telecom 1983–84 515
British Telecom 1984–85 138,477
British Telecom 1985–86 26,461
British Telecom 1986–87 10,425
Total 175,878
Rolls Royce 1985–86 100
Rolls Royce 1986–87 981
Rolls Royce 1987–88 40,704
Rolls Royce 1988–89 11,182
Total 42,967
Rover 1988–89 11,800
British Steel 1988–89 64,949
British Steel 1989–90 5,000
Total 69,949
1Provisional.