HC Deb 18 June 1973 vol 858 cc40-2W
Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those nationalised industries which, over the last 10 years, have made a profit, and those which have made a loss; those nationalised industries which, over the same period, have received Government subsidies; and those nationalised industries which, in the same period, have had Government loans of any appreciable size written off, stating the amount of the sums involved in each case.

Mr. Higgins

Particulars of the surpluses or deficits of the nationalised industries as shown in their annual accounts over the 10 years to 1971–72—to end-December 1971 for the transport industries—are shown in table A. The accounts for later years are not yet available.

These results are before Government grants to meet deficits on revenue account as shown in Table B, but after grants for specific purposes such as railway infrastructure and National Coal Board social costs. Particulars of these grants were set out in the answers given to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 24th May—[Vol. 857, c. 112.]

Details of write-offs of capital debt and revenue deficits were set out in the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet) on 9th May.—[Vol. 856, c. 136.]

TABLE A
Surplus! Deficits £m.
1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72
National Coal Board 1.4 0.1 0.5 -24.8 0.3 0.4 -8.9 -26.1 0.5 -157.0
Electricity Council (England and Wales) 42.5 70.4 64.1 84.7 20.6 55.0 100.4 64.5 -55.8 -23.3
North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board 1.5 -0.3 0.6 0.9 0.4 0.8 -1.4 -0.9 0.1 -3.2
South of Scotland Electricity Board 1.8 1.6 1.8 1.1 -1.5 1.1 0.6 0.3 -1.1 -3.0
British Gas Corporation 4.9 9.6 15.2 11.1 3.9 -12.9 17.5 13.7 2.0 15.1
British Steel Corporation -19.5 -22.8 12.4 -11.7 -71.4
Post Office 12.1 30.7 20.1 40.2 44.3 39.3 44.4 36.2 20.5 36.1
British Overseas Airways Corporation -12.9 -10.4 8.9 8.1 23.9 22.5 21.7 19.3 3.4 -1.4
British European Airways -0.3 3.0 1.3 1.3 0.7 -1.8 3.5 6.5 0.5 0.2
British Airports Authority 1.7 1.8 2.8 3.6 3.9 4.5
British Transport Commission* -143.7
British Railways Board* -133.9 -120.9 -132.4 -134.7 -153.0 -147.4 14.7 9.5 -15.4
London Transport Board* 2.1 1.3 -4.9 -5.9 -10.9 -10.2 -10.8
British Transport Docks Board* 1.5 1.6 1.1 1.5 1.6 1.5 -0.4 -1.8 0.5
British Waterways Board -1–5 -1.5 -1.5 -1.5 -1.4 -1.5 -1.5 -2.0 -2.4
Transport Holding Company* 6.4 8.6 11.7 7.5 3.3 4.3 0.1 -0.7 -0.6
National Freight Corporation* -1.9 -1.2 -1.6
National Bus Company 0.8 -8.1 -0.4
Scottish Transport Group* 1.0 -2.1 1.4
*Calendar years.

TABLE B
Grants to meet deficits on revenue account
1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72
National Coal Board 100.0
British Transport Commission* 139.9
British Railways Board* 133.9 120.9 132.4 134.7 153.1 142.8
London Transport Board* 5.88 10.9 9.95 8.86
British Waterways Board* 1.5 1.52 1.46 1.50 1.44 1.49 1.5 1.85 2.50
*Calendar years.

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