HC Deb 24 February 1977 vol 926 cc696-7W
Mr. Ridley

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. MacGregor) Official Report, 4th February, column 482, whether he will indicate the approximate timing of the repayment of each category of external debt.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

Repayment, or, to use the technical term, repurchase of drawings on the IMF credit tranches will become due between three and five years after the dates of draw down: drawings are spread over the years 1976–78 and repurchases will thus be due between 1979 and 1983. Drawings under the IMF oil facility are due to be repurchased between three and seven years after the date of draw down; the drawing by the United Kingdom was made in 1976 and the repurchases will thus be due between 1979 and 1983.

Both of the Her Majesty's Government's Euro-dollar loans are to be repaid between 1981 and 1984.

The $10 billion of foreign currency borrowing by other public sector bodies comprises loans with differing maturity dates, with repayments spread between this year and 1985.