§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much British Telecom's regulated prices have changed in real terms since 1984.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe prices of BT's main services, controlled by the "price cap" in its licence, have fallen by around 27 per cent. in real terms since privatisation. This control covers residential and business charges for domestic and international calls, exchange line rentals and directory enquiries, which represent over half of BT's turnover.
Electricity Council Years ended 31 March HCA Convention £ millions 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Before tax1 (592.6) 1,444.9 1,441.5 1,1664 2,117.9 After tax1 (592.6) 1,444.9 1,315.0 810.2 2,117.9 Total borrowing as at 31 March1 4,700.3 4,208.2 2,874.6 1,597.3 (181.5)
Amershan International Years ended 31 March HCA Convention £ millions 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 Profit before tax2 4.897 6.656 6.014 4.011 4.079 Profit after tax2 3.350 4.562 6.405 2.777 2.667 Loans and investment grants1 3.870 3.918 8.002 8.935 15.229
British Gas Years ended 31 March HCA Convention £ millions 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 Profit before tax3 743 1,106 1,185 992 1,100 Profit after tax3 556 875 1,031 804 720 Bank loans and short term borrowing— (increase)/decrease3 (146) 31 (4) 162 (112)
Britoil (incorporated 1 August 1982. Formerly part of the British National Oil Corporation) Years ended 31 March HCA Convention £ millions 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 Profit before tax4 (43) (35) 69 256 435 Profit after tax4 (31) (26) 33 67 73 Loans and deferred liabilities4 18.1 — 55.6 — — 1 Information from published annual report and accounts
2 Information from Amersham International plc Offer for Sale 1982
3 Information from British Gas plc Offer for Sale 1986