British Telecom (Prices) Mr. Burns To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much British Telecom's regulated prices have changed in real terms since 1984. Mr. Redwood The prices of BT's main services, controlled by the "price cap" in its licence, have fallen by around 27 per cent. in real terms since privatisation. This control covers residential and business charges for domestic and international calls, exchange line rentals and directory enquiries, which represent over half of BT's turnover.--------------------------------- | | --------------------------------- |Before tax1 | --------------------------------- |After tax1 | --------------------------------- |Total borrowing as at 31 March1| --------------------------------- ------------------------------ | | ------------------------------ |Profit before tax2 | ------------------------------ |Profit after tax2 | ------------------------------ |Loans and investment grants1| ------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------- | | ----------------------------------------------------------- |Profit before tax3 | ----------------------------------------------------------- |Profit after tax3 | ----------------------------------------------------------- |Bank loans and short term borrowing— (increase)/decrease3| ----------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- | | --------------------------------- |Profit before tax4 | --------------------------------- |Profit after tax4 | --------------------------------- |Loans and deferred liabilities4| --------------------------------- 1 Information from published annual report and accounts 2 Information from Amersham International plc Offer for Sale 1982 3 Information from British Gas plc Offer for Sale 1986