§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the guidelines for the capital spending, investment policies and external financing limits of the nationalised industries as they existed prior to his autumn statement; what new guidance he has given to the nationalised industries and trade agencies; and if he will place a copy of all relevant documentation in the Library.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 30 November 1992]: The main elements of the control framework for nationalised industries are set out in the relevant parts of the 1978 White Paper "The Nationalised Industries" (Cm 7131), and summarised in the statistical supplement to the 1991 autumn statement (Cm 1920). The latter document also sets out the external financing limits planned for 1992–93.
Further detailed and technical central administrative guidance is issued from time to time, in internal working documents.
In addition, Ministers responsible and Departments may give guidance to particular industries from time to time.
No general guidance on these subjects has been issued to the nationalised industries since the Chancellor's autumn statement. The new external financing limits are, however, set out in the "Autumn Statement 1992" (Cm 2096).