§ Mr. Edenasked Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the periods for repayment of the loans made by the Treasury 35W to each of the nationalised industries; and whether they vary having regard to the life of the project for which these loans or parts of them were requested.
§ Mr. BarberExchequer loans to the nationalised industries are repaid over a period related to the average life of the assets of the industries concerned. This varies from industry to industry and the repayment periods are shown below:
British Overseas Airways Corporation 7 years British European Airways Corporation National Coal Board 15 years Electricity Council 25 years Gas Council South of Scotland Electricity Board British Railways Board London Transport Board British Transport Docks Board British Waterways Board Transport Holding Company Post Office North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board 30 years
§ Mr. Edenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases he is examining individual schemes for capital expenditure by nationalised industries; what is the nature of his examination; and what is the nature of each scheme.
Mr. MandlingInsofar as consultation between the nationalised industries and the Government is necessary on individual capital schemes, this is primarily a matter for the Ministers concerned with the industries. It would be contrary to established practice to give details of any discussion between those Ministers and their colleagues, including myself.