§ Mr. ChisholmTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the post-tax profits of the(a) gas, (b) electricity and (c) water privatised utilities was paid out in dividends in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. DorrellI have been asked to reply.
The table shows the percentage of post-tax profits paid out in dividends by the privatised companies in the industries concerned. All the data are for financial years ending 31 March 1993 with the exception of British Gas plc, whose data are for the year ending 31 December 1993.
Privatised utilities' dividends Industry Proportion of post-tax profits paid in dividends Per cent. Gas 1-117.2 Electricity (England and Wales) 33.6 Scottish Electricity companies 41.3 Water and Sewerage companies 32.2 1 British Gas plc made a loss. Dividends paid from reserves.