§ 28. Mr. Owenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage increase or decrease in the National Debt between 1951 and 1961; what was the percentage increase or decrease in the interest payments on the National Debt during this period; and whether he will state the amount of the National Debt per head of the working population in 1961.
§ Sir E. BoyleOver the ten years in question the National Debt increased by a fraction under 9 per cent. Interest upon it increased by 82.6 per cent. but the increase in interest met from revenue is 38.5 per cent. At the end of March last year the National Debt amounted to £1,124 per head of the working population.