HC Deb 14 February 1977 vol 926 c102W
Mr. Tebbit

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy towards the disposal of trading surpluses of nationalised industries; and if it is his intention that such surpluses should either be devoted to the reduction of the outstanding capital debt of the industry cancerned or paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Mr. Joel Barnett

The nationalised industries use their net trading surpluses—after interest and dividends—to contribute to their financing requirements and, depending on the level of those requirements, to repay loans.