§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has now made of the balance of payments surplus for the current year, and next year, respectively ; and assuming a surplus is earned each year at this estimated rate, how long it will take to pay off indebtedness arising since 1964.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsIn answer to the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon).
80WNo meaningful answer to the second part of the Question is possible, because our ability to repay debt depends upon short-term flows as well as upon the balance of payments, just as when the debt was incurred.