HC Deb 12 December 1980 vol 995 cc499-500W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the external financing requirement, in constant money terms, of the Welsh water authority for each year since its inception; and how these figures compare with the external financing limit set for that authority for next year.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The following has been the net annual external financing requirement of the Welsh water authority for each year since it began operations: the figures contain the same elements of finance as are included in next year's external financing limit, and are expressed on a common price basis using the GDP deflator.

At 1979–80 Prices (£ million)
1974–75 66
1975–76 39
1976–77 23
1977–78 19
1978–79 32
1979–80 34
1980–81 18

The outturn figures from which the above have been calculated are those derived by the authority from its accounts up to 1979–80. The figure for 1980–81 is based on the authority's forecast outturn. On the same basis, if the year increase in the GDP deflator were to be 11 per cent. between 1980–81 and 1981–82, the external finance limit for 1981–82 would be £22 million at 1979–80 prices.