§ Mr. Stanleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the amount of public sector debt interest for the year 1976–77 on the basis of the existing presentation of debt interest; and what percentage that amount represents of (a) estimated public expenditure, and (b) GDP.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettAs I explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Hove (Mr. Sainsbury) on 22nd November, debt interest payments this year are estimated on the new presentation at about £2 billion. or 3½ per cent. of public expenditure and 1½ per cent. of GDP. On the presentation of debt interest and public expenditure in use at the time of the Budget, the estimate is £6,461 million or 10 per cent. of public expenditure and about 5 per cent. of GDP.—[c.886–7.]