HC Deb 04 December 1985 vol 88 cc267-8W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total borrowing outstanding in respect of each local authority as at 1 April 1985.

Mr. Waldegrave

I have today placed in the Library a table showing the total borrowing outstanding at 31 March 1985 in respect of each local authority in England for which the information is available. The borrowing is defined as external debt administered by the authority, including debt administered on behalf of other local authorities and public bodies. The sources of the figures are in most cases the CIPFA questionnaire on capital expenditure and debt financing statistics for 1984–85 (for long-term borrowing) and the DOE borrowing and lending inquiry for March 1985 (for short-term borrowing). In cases where authorities have not returned the CIPFA questionnaire for 1984–85 figures have where possible been updated from the 1983–84 questionnaire using the DOE borrowing and lending inquiries for the intervening period.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to which local authorities have borrowings outstanding to foreign banks and as to the value in each case.

Mr. Waldegrave

Local authorities provide information in aggregate form on the extent of their borrowing from and repayments to overseas lenders. This information does not distinguish banks from other overseas bodies. Details of individual authorities' transactions of the sort are subject to commercial confidentiality.