§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will estimate the expected deficit or surplus of Channel 4 in the years 1990 to 2000. [26444]
§ Mr. DorrellForward financial planning is a matter for the Channel 4 television corporation. Figures for the period 1990–94 are contained within the annual reports published by the Independent Television Commission, for 1990–1992, and Channel 4, for 1993–1994. The figures are:
Date £ million April-December 1990 1.1 surplus January-December 1991 0.2 surplus January-December 1992 6.6 deficit From January 1993, when Channel 4 became a self-governing statutory corporation, its retained profit figures, after taxation and payments of excess qualifying revenue to the Independent Television Commission, were:
Date £ million January-December 1993 1.3 retained profit January-December 1994 21.9 retained profit