§ Mr. HansonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the external financing limit for the Post Office for 1998–99. [50812]
§ Mrs. BeckettAs announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the Post Office is able to carry forward an external financing limit (EFL) over-achievement under the nationalised industries end-year flexibility scheme. The Post Office over-achieved its 1997/98 EFL by £25m, and therefore its negative EFL for 1998/99 has been reduced from -£335 million to -£310 million.