§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of the 1990 Rothschild report on coal privatisation.
§ Mr. EggarThe contract with N. M. Rothschild and Sons Ltd. for the provision of financial advice on coal privatisation commenced in May 1991. On grounds of commercial confidentiality, the cost of individual pieces of work in not released. Total expenditure by the Department of Energy in connection with the privatisation of the coal industry in 1991–92 was £3.3 million.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated total cost of preparing the coal industry for privatisation.
§ Mr. EggarExpenditure in connection with the privatisation of the coal industry in 1991–92 and 1992–93 was £3.3 million, including VAT, and £3.5 million, including VAT, respectively. Provision for 1993–94 is £14.3 million, including VAT. The privatisation budget for 1994–95 has still to be decided.