HC Deb 19 January 1981 vol 997 c33W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the increase in sterling M3 in the 21 months ending in the third quarter of 1973; and to what extent this was due to asset speculation.

Mr. Lawson

Sterling M3 rose by £10,090 million—seasonally adjusted—or 52 per cent. in the 21 months to the end of the third quarter of 1973. It is not possible to say how much of this was due to "asset speculation".