§ Mr. Hickmetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the financial results for British Steel for each of the last six years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonThe British Steel Corporation's annual accounts, published yesterday, show a profit — loss on ordinary activities after interest but before exceptional items as follows:
£ million 1980–81 -660 1981–82 -327 1982–83 -383 1983–84 -174 1984–85 -114 1985–86 + The figure for 1984–85 reflects the cost of the miners' strike, estimated to be £180 million.
This run of results demonstrates extremely encouraging progress and reflects great credit on the chairmen, Board and work force of the corporation.