HC Deb 25 July 1977 vol 936 cc70-2W
Mr. Tebbit

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of the Government's overseas debt per head of the population in February 1974, October 1974 and at the latest date for which figures are available, respectively.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

Defining the Government's overseas debt as official long-term borrowing, borrowing from the IMF, Government Eurocurrency borrowing and overseas holdings of British Government securities and Treasury bills gives the following estimates per head of population: March 1974, £91.70; September 1974, £96.66; March 1977, £162.17. Figures are not available for the months requested nor, necessarily, are the estimates of debt and population for precisely corresponding dates.

Mr. Tebbit

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of the Government's internal debt per head of the population in February 1974, October 1974 and at the latest date for which figures are available, respectively.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Tebbit

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total annual

Average wages* Average earnings† General index of retail prices
MPs' basic salaries£year Percentage increase on previous year MPs' salary at same rate of increase Percentage increase on previous year MPs' salary at same rate of increase Percentage increase on previous year MPs' salary at same rate of increase
1965 … 3,250 +8.2 2,235 +7.1 2,213 +4.8 2,165
1966 … 3,250 +3.7 2,318 +6.8 2,363 +3.9 2,250
1967 … 3,250 +5.3 2,441 +3.6 2,448 +2.5 2,306
1968 … 3,250 +7.6 2,626 +7.8 2,639 +4.7 2,414
1969 … 3,250 +7.9 2,834 +7.8 2,845 +5.4 2,545
1970 … 3,250 +13.0 3,202 +12.1 3,189 +6.4 2,707
1971 … 3,250 +10.3 3,532 +11.3 3,550 +9.4 2,962
1972 … 4,500 +15.8 4,090 +12.9 4,007 +7.1 3,172
1973 … 4,500 +14.2 4,671 +13.5 4,549 +9.2 3,464
1974 … 4,500 +18.8 5,549 +17.8 5,358 +16.1 4,022
1975 … 4,500 +22.5 6 798 +26.6 6,784 +24.2 4,995
5,750‡
1976 … 5,750 +12.4 7,641 +15.6 7,842 +16.5 5,819
6,062§
* Derived from average earnings of United Kingdom full time male manual workers aged over 21 in all industries and services covered by the Department of Employment's regular annual inquiry. The percentage increase is from October to October.
†Derived from seasonally adjusted average earnings of all employees in Great Britain in industries and services covered by the Department of Employment's regular monthly inquiry.
‡With effect from 13th June 1975.
§With effect from 13th June 1976.

amount of interest payable on the Government's debt per head of the population in February 1974, October 1974 and at the latest date for which figures are available, respectively.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.