Notes to the Accounts
24. Other provisions for liabilities and charges
| all figures in £ millions | post retirement |
deferred consideration |
integration | reorganisations | leases | other | total |
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| At 31 December 1999 | 95 | 29 | 24 | 6 | 25 | 27 | 206 |
| Exchange differences | 7 | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | – | 11 |
| Subsidiary undertakings acquired/disposed | 1 | 5 | 14 | 8 | (3) | 1 | 26 |
| Deferred consideration arising on acquisitions | 39 | – | – | – | – | 39 | |
| Television assets contributed | (2) | (14) | – | – | (1) | (2) | (19) |
| Transfer from creditors | 1 | – | 3 | 1 | 1 | (1) | 5 |
| Released | (2) | – | – | (1) | – | (3) | (6) |
| Provided | 24 | – | 21 | 6 | – | – | 51 |
| Utilised | (15) | (5) | (24) | (4) | (3) | (5) | (56) |
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| At 31 December 2000 | 109 | 56 | 39 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 257 |
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note
a. Post-retirement provisions are in respect of pensions, £46m and post-retirement medical benefits, £63m.
b. Deferred consideration. Included within the balance is £30m which relates to the purchase of Forum in 2000 which will be paid in 2001.
c. Integration. During the year £21m has been provided (see note 2) mainly in respect of the acquisitions of Dorling Kindersley and NCS. £24m has been utilised mainly in respect of the integration of Simon & Schuster following its acquisition in 1998. The balance is expected to be utilised in the year ended 31 December 2001.
d. Reorganisations. Included in the balance is £7m in respect of the acquisition of Forum which is expected to be utilised in the year ended 31 December 2001.
e. Lease commitments. These relate primarily to onerous lease contracts, acquired as part of the purchase of subsidiary undertakings, which have expiry dates up to 2010. The provision is based on current occupancy estimates and it has been assumed that the properties will not be sub-let.
f. Other. Included within other is £9m (1999:£12m)in respect of warranty and legal claims, the timing of the settlement of which is unknown. The balance, which relates to a number of small items, is expected to be utilised over varying time periods.
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