Privatised Utilities

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Industry – in the House of Commons am 1:49 pm ar 19 Mawrth 1997.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Spencer Batiste Mr Spencer Batiste , Elmet 1:49, 19 Mawrth 1997

Does my hon. Friend recall that, in the late 1970s, the then nationalised industries cost the taxpayer £500 million a year in subsidy? Will he confirm that, for the past seven years, the privatised industries have contributed on average nearly £9 billion each year? Does not that demonstrate that Labour's hostility to privatisation would have caused much damage to this country and its industry in the 1980s and 1990s, just as the windfall tax would do if they were ever in a position to put it in place?