§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what were the total debt and debt charges for local government in the years 1938, 1958 and 1964; and what are the estimated figures for 1965.
§ Mr. MacCollThe figures* for England and Wales are as follows:
Year Gross debt at end of year Loan Charges (£ million) (£ million) 1938–39 … … 1,594.7 109.4 1958–59 … … 5,294.1 314.2 1963–64 … … 7,585.4 491.7 No reliable estimates for 1964–65 can yet be given.
* Source—Epitomes of accounts.
— Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham 1938–39 1958–59 1938–39 1958–59 £ £ £ £ Gross debt at end of year 9,124,606 39,920,883 63,838,929 149,636,315 Loan redemption charges(a) 593,728 2,122,644 4,465,519 9,313,246 Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Percentage of Loan redemption charges to rates collected 58.97 81.67 83.51 57.15
— Manchester Liverpool 1938–39 1958–59 1938–39 1958–59 £ £ £ £ Gross debt at end of year 47,692,901 92,138,235 67,442,930 97,979,784 Loan redemption charges(a) 3,256,522 6,012,906 3,942,429 5,885,444 Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Percentage of Loan redemption charges to rates collected 66.39 56.54 78.76 60.71 * Source—Epitomes of accounts.
(a) Includes principal and interest.
It is not possible to give corresponding estimates for 1968–69.