HC Deb 13 November 1980 vol 992 cc434-5W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will circulate a table in the Official Report showing, by category and sector, what changes are to be expected in the public sector borrowing requirement at current prices for each increase of 100,000 in the number of unemployed.

Mr. Lawson

The relationship between increases in the number of unemployed and changes in the public sector borrowing requirement depends on a number of factors, including the reason for the increase in unemployment, the period of time considered, the characteristics of those becoming unemployed, and further developments in the economy associated with the rise in unemployment. Realistic estimates could be produced only by making specific assumptions on these matters and conducting a simulation on a complex economic model. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State to the hon. Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Leighton) on 14 November 1979.—[Vol. 973, c. 622–23.]

Sir David Price

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the public sector borrowing requirement quarter by quarter from the beginning of 1970 with the appropriate component figures on the same basis as given for the last two years in the table on page 3 of the October 1980 (No. 126);

(2) if he will add the third quarter of 1980 figures for public sector borrowing to the table for public sector borrowing published on page 3 of the October 1980 number of Economic Progress Report (No. 126) and enter the resulting revised table in the Official Report.

Mr. Biffen

I regret that in the time available it has not been possible to provide the information requested. I shall write to my hon. Friend.