HC Deb 27 July 1981 vol 9 c298W
Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report a revised version of his Department's contributions to table 2.4 in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1981–82 to 1983–84", Cmnd. 8175, in respect of the year 1981–82 arising from new expenditure commitments undertaken since table 2.4 was compiled.

Mr. David Howell

The only additional expenditure commitment to affect table 2.4 is the increase in the amount available for support for the nationalised industries—item 4.4. As I announced in the House of Commons on 16 June 1981, the National Coal Board's external financing limit of £886 million for 1981–82 has been raised to £1,117 million. Within this revised limit, and subject to the necessary legislation and approval of Supplementary Estimates, grants to the board will be increased by about £300 million, of which approval for an increase of £70 million has already been sought by a Supplementary Estimate for Class IV, Vote 5.