17. Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rate of growth of GDP(a) in the last quarter and (b) in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [28506]
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe economy continues to grow steadily. In the first quarter of 1996, it is estimated that GDP was 0.4 per cent. higher than in the previous quarter, and 2.0 per cent. up on a year earlier.