asked the Minister for Finance (a) the amount of the national debt on 31 March or the end of the appropriate financial year in 1923, 1932, 1942, 1952, 1972 and 1978, and (b) the total interest paid on the national debt since the foundation of the State.
Written Answers. - National Debt.
344.
(a) The amount of the National Debt for the financial years requested was as follows:
|
Financial Year ended |
Amount of National Debt |
|
£m. |
|
|
31 March 1923 |
2.5 |
|
31 March 1932 |
31.8 |
|
31 March 1942 |
72.6 |
|
31 March 1952 |
213.6 |
|
31 March 1972 |
1,251.4 |
|
31 December 1978 |
5,235.9 |
(b) The total interest paid from 1922-3 to 31 December 1978 was £2,198 million.