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Mr. Austin Mitchell
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of companies which made a trading loss in each of the past three years before deduction of any allowances and the estimated total of such losses.
Mr. Ridley
Statistics are not available centrally about trading losses, as these terms are commonly understood for commercial purposes. The figures below related to "gross case I" losses from trading, before deduction of depreciation, but after deduction of short-term interest.
| Number (000) | Losses (£ million) | |
| 1978 | 130 | 1,300 |
| 1979 | 150 | 1,700 |
| 1980 | 170 | 2,900 |