HC Deb 05 February 1968 vol 758 cc36-7W
Mr. Biffen

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a revised annual estimate of central and local government expenditure and the expected net capital borrowing requirements of the nationalised industries for the financial years 1968–69 to 1970–71.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Further to my reply on 23rd January, 1968—[Vol. 757, c. 195–6]—following is the additional information requested:

The figures given for Nationalised Industries' Capital Expenditure in 1967–68 and 1969–70 in the Table appended to the statement made in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister on 16th January, 1968, Cmnd. 3515, on reductions in public expenditure, were made up as follows:—

1967–68 1968–89
£ million £ million
Fixed investment in the U.K. of the nationalised industries:
Post Office 317 347
National Coal Board 79 71
Electricity Council and Boards 634 568
N.S.H.E.B. 9 8
S.S.E.B. 63 66
Gas Council and Boards 271 275
B.O.A.C. 25 37
B.E.A. 30 54
British Airports Authority 11 12
British Railways Board 106 100
London Transport Board 31 28
British Transport Docks Board 18 13
British Waterways Board Transport Holding Company 26 26
British Steel Corporation 85 110
Fixed investment of other Public Corporations* 19 18
Total fixed investment 1,725 1,734
Less other items included in capital expenditure† -49 -39
Nationalised Industries' Capital Expenditure 1,676 1,695
* B.B.C., I.T.A. and Covent Garden Market Authority.
† This is a net figure which covers sales of fixed assets, variations in the value of stocks, and cash expenditure on acquiring Company securities.

The comparable total for 1969–70 published in Cmnd. 3537 was £1,564 million; this represents the proposals of the Boards, not yet approved by the Government, and no breakdown can be given at this stage.