§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he now has about the performance of the British Transport Docks Board in 1980; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FowlerThe annual report and accounts for 1980 of the British Transport Docks Board were published on 19 May and showed that despite a serious deterioration in traffic due to the general recession the board made a net profit before tax of £11.5 million. Despite reductions in planned investment the board was unable to meet its external finance limit of £10 million for the financial year 1980–81. This was mainly due to factors beyond the board's control, including the sharp drop in traffic and strikes by seamen and in the steel industry. Additionally payments of some £2.4 million which the board was expecting have been withheld. The external finance required was about £0.5 million.