§ Mr. Wickendenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost to public funds in respect of each of the last 10 years of the annual interest payable on public sector borrowing.
§ Mr. BrittanThe information requested is as follows for financial year.
Total public sector interest payments* £ million 1971–72 2,298 1972–73 2,493 1973–74 3,318 1974–75 4,213 1975–76 5,112 1976–77 6,429 1977–78 7,222 1978–79 8,351 1979–80 10,585 1980–81 12,497 * On a national accounts basis and excluding intra-public sector payments. Source: National Accounts.
§ Mr. Wickendenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total of public sector borrowing at the latest practicable date and at similar dates in 1976 and 1971.
§ Mr. BrittanThe public sector borrowing requirement in the third quarter of 1981 and in the same quarter of 1976 and 1971 was as follows:
£ million Third Quarter 1971 569 Third Quarter 1976 2,259 Third Quarter 1981 2,181 Sources: Financial Statistics table 2.5 (November 1981 issue) and Economic Trends Annual Supplement (1981 Edition).
The total of public sector debt outstanding is available only for the position at 31 March each year. Figures from 1970 to 1980 were published in Financial Statistics for February 1981, Supplementary Table B. Figures for amounts outstanding at 31 March 1981 will be published in the February 1982 issue.