asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the net contribution to the Exchequer from privatisation in 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84, respectively.

Net receipts to central Government from special sales of assets are shown in table 2.14 of the public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 9428). The figures were £494 million in 1981–82; £488 million in 1982–83; and £1,142 million in 1983–84. The figures exclude the effect of advance oil payments from BNOC in 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82 which net out to zero.