asked the Minister for Finance the present position of our national debt; the total amount of the debt; the amount of interest being paid; the number of loans which have been taken out; the amount of money borrowed per citizen; the amount of interest being paid per citizen; if it is proposed to further increase this borrowing in 1986; if so, the amount he is prepared to borrow; the source from which he proposes to borrow it; and if he will make a statement on the matter outlining the position.
Written Answers. - National Debt.
50.
The national debt at 30 September 1985 was estimated at £20 billion. The 1985 estimate for interest payments by the Exchequer from the central fund services on the national debt is £1,841 million. The national debt at end-September included 253 foreign loans, 53 national loans, as well as Exchequer bills outstanding and other domestic liabilities.
Expressed per head of population, which I take it is what the Deputy has in mind, the national debt was equivalent to £5,640 per head at 30 September 1985. Interest payments from central fund services in 1985 are estimated at £520 per head of population. The Government will decide on the 1986 borrowing programme in the context of next year's budget.