§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the interest on the national debt as a percentage of gross domestic product during the past five years and in 1978–79.
§ Mr. MaplesFigures for both gross and net general Government debt interest during the past five years and in 1978–79 as a percentage of gross domestic product are given below:
General Government debt interest as percentage of gross domestic product Gross Net1 1978–79 4.3 2.6 1986–87 4.5 3.0 1987–88 4.2 2.8 1988–89 3.8 2.5 1989–90 3.6 2.2 1990–91 3.3 2.1 1 Interest payments by general government less interest receipts.