§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when was the last surplus of central Government revenue over expenditure; if he will express it in 1988 prices; what is the latest forecast for the current year in 1988 prices; and if he will forecast the likely change in(a) money supply and (b) the national debt in the current year.
§ Mr. LilleyBefore 1987–88, the public sector was last in surplus in 1969–70, when the surplus amounted to £0.6 billion, equivalent to £3.8 billion at 1988–89 prices. For the latest forecasts of the public sector surplus and growth of the money supply I refer the hon. Member to the autumn statement, paragraphs 20.2 and 2.48 respectively. To estimate the likely change in the national debt in the current year would involve revealing forecasts of items which by convention the Government never publish.