§ Mr. Meacherasked the Chancellor of he Exchequer what have been the surpluses or losses of each of the nationalised industries in each of the past three years.
§ Mr. BiffenThe following table gives the surpluses and losses of each of the nationalised industries, for the past three 247W years for which their accounts have been published.
NATIONALISED INDUSTRIES Revenue Account Surpluses (Deficits)* £ million 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 National Coal Board … … … … 5.3 27.2 20.4 Electricity Council and Boards … … … 8.5 206.5 132.8 North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Bord … 0.1 5.9 1.8 South of Scotland Electricity Board … … 2.7 22.3 5.6 British Gas Corporation … … … … 25.1 31.5 103.9 British Steel Corporation … … … (254.9) (95.0) (443.4) Post Office … … … … … … 147.8 290.6 367.3 British Airways Board … … … … (16.3) 35.1 32.5 British Airports Authority … … … 5.2 1.9 5.4 British Shipbuilders … … … … — — (93.4) 1975 1976 1977 1978 British Railways Board … … … … — 5.3 27.0 6.4 British Transport Docks Board … … … — 6.2 7.3 7.0 British Waterways Board … … … (8.0) (9.9) (11.9) † National Freight Corporation … … … — (15.3) (9.5) 0.3 National Bus Company … … … … — 5.8 9.6 17.7 Scottish Transport Group … … … — (0.9) 1.0 0.7 British National Oil Corporation … … — (1.3) (1.9) (3.0) British Aerospace … … … … … — — 29.4 28.5 * After depreciation, interest and grants for specific purposes and, where applicable, extraordinary items, minority interests and taxation. Before, where applicable, compensation for price restraint, other special grants to meet deficits on revenue account and dividend on public dividend capital. † Annual report and accounts not yet available.