§ Sir F. SANDERSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total interest charges on the National Debt for the year ended 31st March, 1920, and for the year ended 31st March, 1927, showing the amount of interest paid to the United States of America separately?
§ Mr. RONALD McNEILLAs we had not ceased to borrow for expenditure in 1919–20, I will add to the figures asked for by my hon. Friend those for the year 1920–21, in which the interest charge reached its peak. The figures then are:
Payment of interest in 1919–20 on the main debt to the United States Government was made for a few months only, being suspended from May, 1919, to December, 1S22. Our real liability for the year 1920–21 in respect of interest on this debt was about £57,000,000.
Interest payments {excluding management, etc.) — To United States Government. Other. Total. £ £ £ 1919–20 19,297,000 303,228,000 322,525,000 1920–21 289,000 325,785,000 326,074,000 1926–27 27,948,000 288,455,000 316,403,000