§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of general Government expenditure was spent on debt interest payments in each year since 1990; and what he expects it to be in 1996–97 and 1997–98. [38701]
§ Mr. WaldegraveAs a percentage of general Government expenditure (GGE(X)—GGE net of interest and divided receipts, excluding privatisation proceeds and lottery financed spending—general Government net debt interest payments were as follows:
Percentage 1990–91 5.6 1991–92 4.7 1992–93 4.8 1993–94 5.3 1994–95 6.1 1995–96 6.7 For 1996–97 and 1997–98, general Government net
246W
Estimated resident population at mid-year 1974–1994: selected age-groups expressed as a percentage of the total England and Wales Percentage of males aged Year 0–4 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 Total 0–24 25+ 1974 7.6 8.6 8.4 7.4 7.2 100 39.3 60.7 1975 7.3 8.4 8.6 7.6 7.1 100 39.0 61.0 debt interest as a percentage of GGE(X) is forecast as 7.2 per cent. and 7.8 per cent. respectively. These forecasts are consistent with the summer economic forecast 1996.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of Government expenditure on debt interest payment in each year since 1990; and what he expects it to be in 1996–97 and 1997–98. [38700]
§ Mr. WaldegraveGeneral Government net debt interest payments were as follows:
- 1990–91: £12.1 billion
- 1991–92: £11.3 billion
- 1992–93: £12.7 billion
- 1993–94: £14.6 billion
- 1994–95: £17.5 billion
- 1995–96: £20.2 billion
For 1996–97 and 1997–98, general Government net debt interest is forecast at £22.2 billion and £24.8 billion respectively. These forecasts are consistent with the summer economic forecast 1996.