HC Deb 30 November 1987 vol 123 c378W
Mrs. Golding

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the external financing limits and outturn figures for the Post Office for each year since external financing limits were introduced.

Mr. Butcher

External financing limits have been set for the Post Office since 1976–77, when they were described as cash limits. The limits and outturn against them have been published in annual public expenditure White Papers and the Post Office's reports and accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. However, the information requested is as follows:

Limit £ million Outturn £ million
1976–77 -24.4 -0.7
1977–78 1.8 -21.5
1978–79 1.2 -16.7
1979–80 -40.5 -3.40
1980–81 -20.0 -7.7
1981–82 0.0 -13.4
1982–83 -55.8 -59.7
1983–84 -50.9 -61.5
1984–85 -60.0 -99.5
1985–86 -70.0 -74.7
1986–87 -93.0 -93.1
1987–88 -57.0

The limit for 1988–89 of —£97 million was announced in the Autumn Statement on 3 November.