HC Deb 26 July 1977 vol 936 cc180-1W
Mr. Tebbit

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of the Government's internal debt per head of the population in February 1974, October 1974 and at the latest date for which figures are available respectively.

Mr. Joel Barnett,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report 25th July 1977], gave the following information

Statistics of outstanding general Government debt are compiled only in respect of 31st March each year. On 31st March 1974 the nominal value of general Government debt held domestically—excluding general Government holdings—is estimated to have been £780 per head, and on 31st March 1976 £1,095 per head. The figures can be updated only approximately to 31st March 1977 using figures of subsequent borrowing by general Government. The estimate figure at that date was £1,235 per head. An article describing the nature of these statistics was published in the May 1977 issue ofEconomic Trends

Mr. Tebbit

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total annual amount of interest payable on the Government's debt per head of the population in February 1974, October 1974 and at the latest date for which figures are available, respectively.

Mr. Joel Barnett,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 25th July 1977], gave the following information

Estimates of debt interest payments are not available monthly. Debt interest payments by general Government to the private sector and overseas, per head of population, in three years ending 31st March 1974, 30th September 1974 and 31st March 1977 were £53, £58, and £102, respectively.