Public Sector Debt Interest

HC Deb 19 January 1979 vol 960 cc965-6W

Mr. John Moore

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish in theOfficial Reporta table showing for each year since 1945 and giving estimated figures when final figures are not yet available (a)public sector debt interest at current prices, (b)public sector debt interest at current prices per head of population (c)public sector debt interest in 1977 prices, and (d)public sector debt interest in 1977 prices per head of population ;

(2) if he will publish in theOfficial Reporta table showing for each year since 1945 and giving estimated figures when final figures are not yet available (a)public sector debt interest at current prices on the definition used before Command Paper No. 6721, (b)public sector debt interest at current prices on the definition used before Command Paper No. 6721 per head of population, (c)public sector debt interest in 1977 prices on the definition used before Command Paper No. 6721 and (d) public sector debt interest in 1977 prices on the definition used before Command Paper No. 6721 per head of population ;

(3) if he will publish in theOfficial Reporta table showing for each year since 1945 and giving estimated figures when final figures are not yet available (a)public sector debt interest as a percentage of gross domestic product at factor cost, (b)public sector debt interest as a percentage of gross domestic product at market prices and (c)public sector debt interest as a percentage of gross national product;

(4) if he will publish in theOfficial Reporta table showing for each year since 1945 and giving estimated figures when final figures are not yet available (a)public sector debt interest on the definition used before Command Paper No. 6721 as a percentage of gross domestic product at factor cost, (b)public sector debt interest on the definition used before Command Paper No. 6721 as a percentage of gross domestic product at market prices and (c)public sector debt interest on the definition used before Command Paper No. 6721 as a percentage of gross national product.

Mr. Joel Barnett:

Before Crnnd. 6721 the public expenditure White Papers showed debt interest on a gross basis for the consolidated total public sector, including public corporations.

For estimates of current prices and constant 1977 prices on this basis I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11th December 1978 to the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Knox.)—[Vol. 960, c,143–4.] The ratios requested can be obtained from these estimates together with information on gross domestic product and gross national product and population. I have given the sources of this information together with population estimates in answer to an earlier Question today from the hon. Member.