§ Mr. Trotterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost to public funds of those nationalised industries which were a net charge on public funds in the year ended 5 April; what are the estimated figures for the current year; and how these totals are divided between each industry.
§ Mr. BiffenFollowing is the information in respect of 1979–80. Estimates of outturn in 1980–81 will be published in due course.
Nationalised Industries—Total External Finance Outturn 1979–80 £ million National Coal Board 651 Electricity (England and Wales) 189 North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board 59 South of Scotland Electricity Board 55 British Steel Corporation 579 Post Office 240 British Airways Board 171 British Railways Board 714 British Waterways Board 26 National Freight Corporation 28 National Bus Company 80 Scottish Transport Group 12 British Aerospace 53 British Shipbuilders 236 Total 3,093