HC Deb 27 November 1951 vol 494 c1111
51. Mr. W. T. Williams

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the total Floating Debt is owed other than to persons domiciled in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Williams

Can the Minister explain why it is not available? Is he aware that a number of people in other spheres of public life have made estimates of this and that it is suggested in some places that the total is as great as 40 per cent.? Can he confirm or deny that?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As 92 per cent. of the Floating Debt is in the form of Treasury Bills which, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, are bearer documents, it would pass the ingenuity of man to make an assessment of who holds them at a particular moment.

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