§ 14. Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how interest rates available to prime industrial borrowers in the United Kingdom compare with those in competitor countries.
§ Mr. Ian StewartShort-term commercial interest rates in the United Kingdom have been falling relative to those in other countries. They are now roughly equal to the average of our major OECD competitors.
§ 18. Mr. Pikeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his forecast of trends in interest rates to the end of the current financial year.
§ Mr. Ian StewartIt has not been the practice of any Government to give forecasts of interest rates.