HC Deb 12 November 1998 vol 319 cc301-2W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons he expects GDP growth in the UK to be lower in 1999 than in 1998; if he will quantify the causes of this growth slowdown by expenditure component of GDP; and if he will make a statement. [59422]

Ms Hewitt

Full details of the Treasury's new forecasts were set out in the Pre-Budget Report, published on 3 November.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates for the path of future United Kingdom short-term interest rates underlay the forecasts for future rates of United Kingdom GDP growth contained in the Pre-Budget report of November 1998 (Cm. 4076); and if he will make a statement. [59394]

Ms Hewitt

In line with the practice of previous Governments, the interest rate path underlying the economic forecasts contained in the Pre-Budget Report is not published.