§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, for each year since 1972, the subsidy paid to the Post Office, other than for price restraint, showing the nature and purpose of the subsidy, if any; and if he will also list for each year since 1972 (a) the operating loss before interest payments and (b) the deficit on revenue account of the following public corporations: the National Coal Board, the British Airports Authority, the British Railways Board, the British Waterways Board, the 47W National Freight Corporation, the National Bus Company and the Scottish Transport Group, indicating in each case any subsidy paid in compensation for price restraint.
§ Mr. Joel Barnett,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 8th March 1978;
1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 National Coal Board Operating profit (loss)* … … (118.1) (39.4) (112.3) 33.8 46.2 103.6 Revenue account surplus (deficit)† … … (157.0) (83.7) (130.7) — 5.3 27.2 British Airports Authority Operating profit (loss)* … … 11.0 14.2 14.5 10.3 16.8 17.2 Revenue account surplus (deficit)† … … 4.5 6.8 3.8 3.8 5.2 (0.8) 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 British Railways Board Operating profit (loss)* … … 30.2 24.9 5.7 (85.9) 28.3 13.7 Revenue account surplus (deficit)† … … (15.4) (26.2) (51.6) (157.8) 5.5 5.3 British Waterways Board Operating profit (loss)* … … (1.9) (2.2) (2.9) (4.4) (7.0) (9.0) Revenue account surplus (deficit)† … … (2.4) (2.8) (3.6) (5.3) (8.0) (9.9) National Freight Corporation Operating profit (loss)* … … 4.3 13.4 3.6 (11.3) (11.9) 16.4 Revenue account surplus (deficit)† … … (0.4) 5.5 2.1 (12.3) (19.0) 4.4 National Bus Company Operating profit (loss)* … … (0.2) 1.1 1.3 (5.4) (16.2) (2.7) Revenue account surplus (deficit)† … … (1.6) 1.2 0.2 (15.8) (31.0) (15.3) Scottish Transport Group Operating profit (loss)* … … 2.1 2.0 1.8 (2.6) (1.2) 1.4 Revenue account surplus (deficit)† … … 0.5 0.9 (0.9) (7.4) (3.3) (0.9) * After depreciation and grants for specific purposes. Before interest and, where applicable, special grants to meet deficits on revenue account. † After depreciation, interest and grants for specific purposes, and, where applicable, extraordinary items, minority interests and taxation. Before, where applicable, special grants to meet deficits on revenue account. Note: None of the above industries received compensation under the Statutory Corporations (Financial Provisions) Acts 1974 and 1975.