§ Mr. Stanleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of central Government debt in each of the 77W past 10 years, and the annual servicing cost of that debt, expressed both in money terms and in real terms.
£ million At current prices* At March 1978 prices† Central Government debt: nominal amount outstanding at 31 March Interest in year ending 31 March Central Government debt: nominal amount outstanding at 31 March Interest in year ending 31 March 1969 31,706 1,249 89,565 3,620 1970 32,556 1,269 87,516 3,496 1971 33,105 1,294 81,741 3,326 1972 36,050 1,461 82,683 3,438 1973 36,507 1,629 77,510 3,580 1974 38,612 1,977 72,172 3,930 1975 44,596 2,329 68,821 3,927 1976 54,588 3,029 69,539 4,099 1977 64,980 4,004 70,862 4,705 1978 74,713 4,863 74,713 5,008 *Source: Financial Statistics, February 1979, supplementary table C and table 3.6. † Based on the general index of retail prices.