HC Deb 17 March 1989 vol 149 cc365-6W
Mr. Amess

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on British Shipbuilders' external finance limit for 1988–89.

Mr. Newton

British Shipbuilders' external finance limit for 1988–89 was originally set and published in the 1987 Autumn Statement at £80 million. Against the background of the disposal and closure of British Shipbuilders subsidiaries, I have now set a revised EFL for 1988–89 of £145 million. This increase will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.