§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total net repayment of debts by the Central Government over the period October, 1951, to October, 1964, inclusive; what were the total net interest payments; what the total net increase in Central Government debt has been since October, 1964; and what has been the total net increase in interest due.
§ Mr. Harold LeverThe figures are not available for these particular dates. But between March, 1951, and March, 1964, the net increase in Central Government debt, as measured by the National Debt, was £4,304 million. Net payments of interest on this debt over this period amounted to £7,953 million. Between March, 1964, and March, 1969, the National Debt increased by a further £3,680 million. Net interest payments in the period were £3,034 million.