Interest Rates (Hansard, 18 January 1990)

§ 24. Ms. Mowlam
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer wht is the current level of United Kingdom short-term interest rates; and what is the level in West Germany.

§ Mr. Ryder
On 17 January, three-month money market rates in the United Kingdom were 15.4 per cent., compared with 8.1 per cent. in West Germany.

§ 28. Mr. Beaumont-Dark
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received any representation from the Confederation of British Industry on interest rates.

§ Mr. Ryder
Yes.

§ 44. Mr. Knox
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the current level of interest rates.

§ 55. Mr. Hunter
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement on the current level of interest rates.

§ Mr. Ryder
Bank base rates are 15 per cent.

§ 46. Mr. Dykes
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last discussed with other EEC Finance Ministers matters affecting domestic interest rate policies.

§ Mr. Ryder
The Ecofin Council met in Brussels on 18 December 1989. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer represented the United Kingdom. The Council discussed a range of issues of mutual interest including economic and monetary matters.

§ 61. Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the effect of high interest rates on small businesses.

§ Mr. Ryder
My right hon. Friend and I have received a number of such representations.