asked the Minister for Finance the foreign borrowing level of semi-State companies; the proportion this is of State foreign borrowing; and the comparative situation in 1970, 1975, 1980, 1982 and 1983.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose to circulate it in the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

*Figures for 1970 relate to the financial year 1970-71 (i.e. as at 31 March 1971).

With regard to this question ——

It is a tabular statement.

I would like to ask a tabular supplementary.

I hope it is relevant.

Will the Minister say if the information contained in the tabular statement shows considerable acceleration of borrowing by State companies in the last year? Is he concerned about that acceleration? Is he now aware that semi-State companies account for £1.5 billion of the total borrowing of some £6 billion, and that they now account for 25 per cent of all foreign borrowing in the State? Is he satisfied with that situation? Will he confirm that it has accelerated considerably in 12 months?

I am under your direction in this matter.

My views on this are well known. I want to discourage as strongly as possible supplementaries on tabular statements. It is either a tabular statement answer or it is not. Those are my feelings.

Does the Minister share my concern at the rise? No doubt he has the tabular statement in front of him and a quick glance will show him that what I am suggesting is actually the situation and he should be concerned about it. An increasing proportion of State foreign borrowing is coming through semi-State companies. That to me is a matter of concern because it is not announced in the annual budget and the Minister should be concerned about it.

The proportion is declining.

16.