§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the cyclically adjusted current budget surpluses for 1998–99 to 2002–03 on the basis of gross domestic product growth figures of(a) 2.25 per cent. for 1998, (b) 2 per cent. for 1999, (c) 2.50 per cent. for 2000, (d) 2.50 per cent. for 2001, (e) 2.50 per cent. for 2002 and (f) 2.50 per cent. for 2003; [46360]
(2) what is his estimate of the cyclically adjusted current budget surplus for (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01, (d) 2001–02 and (e) 2002–03, based upon gross domestic product of (i) 1.5 per cent. for 1998–99. (ii) 1 per cent. for 1999–2000, (iii) 2 per cent. for 2000–01, (iv) 2.25 per cent. for 2001–02 and (v) 2.25 per cent. for 2002–03. [46376]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 18 June 1998]: Forecasts of the cyclically adjusted surplus on current budget are set out in Table 4.6 of the "Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998". Changes to the forecast of GDP growth would change the forecast of the unadjusted surplus on current budget but not the cyclically adjusted surplus.