asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated reduction in the public sector borrowing requirement in 1980–81 compared with 1979–80 as a result of Government directives to the electricity and gas supply industries concerning their charges.

Changes in the industries' contributions to the PSBR between 1979–80 and 1980–81 result not only from price changes but from all the other circumstances affecting their businesses, including levels of demand and of their own capital investment. Up-to-date figures on the industries' estimated requirements for external finance in 1979–80 and 1980–81 will be published in the forthcoming public expenditure White Paper. These will provide an approximate measure of the industries' expected direct contributions to the PSBR.