To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of taxation paid by the ITV companies to the Exchequer (a) in 1985, (b) 1990 and (c) in the latest year for which figures are available. [37966]

Companies licensed by the Independent Television Commission to provide Channel 3 services had an estimated corporation tax liability in 1993 of approximately £50 million. Figures for 1985 and 1990 are only available at disproportionate cost.