asked the Minister for Finance, in respect of State-sponsored commercial bodies during the period 1978 to 1988, the total amounts advanced by way of capital and loans; the total amount of capital repayments; and the estimated interest costs for the Exchequer of the amounts so advanced.
Written Answers. - State Bodies Capital/Loans.
43.
In the period in question repayable advances from the Exchequer to the commercial state sector totalled £98.5 million approximately. Equity capital supplied in the same period came to £431.3 million. Total capital repaid was £190 million approximately.
An interest rate cost to the Exchequer would arise because of a number of factors, including the cost of Exchequer borrowing at a particular time, the Exchequer lending rate and the returns on share investments and Exchequer advances. In addition, it would be necessary to take account of the net value of asset creation arising from equity investment. It would not be possible, without an inordinate amount of work, to estimate interest costs for the Exchequer as requested by the Deputy.