HC Deb 14 November 1973 vol 864 cc189-90W
Mr. Denzil Davies

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value in £ sterling, and at the latest available date, of (a) the sterling balances, and (b) the outstanding foreign currency debts of all public bodies and local authorities.

Mr. Nott

Exchange reserves in sterling held by central monetary institutions at end-June 1973 amounted to £3,916 million: detailed figures are set out in Table 24 of the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin for September 1973. Converted at the closing middle market rates on 31st October, the outstanding foreign currency debt of the public sector—other than the central Government—was of the order of £1,200 million at that date.

Mr. Denzil Davies

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value in £ sterling, and at the latest available date, of the short-, medium-and long-term official debts repayable in gold and foreign currency.

Mr. Nott

The total of United Kingdom long-term official debt denominated in gold and foreign currency outstanding at end-June 1973 was £1,599 million; there was no official short-or medium-term debt.