asked the Minister for Finance if the amount of borrowing towards current expenditure for this year is £416 million; and, if so, the sources from which it was borrowed; the interest rates; and if he will give details of its proposed expenditure.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Current Expenditure Borrowing .
11.
: The current budget deficit for 1978 is estimated at £405 million. Government borrowing is arranged to meet the Exchequer's overall borrowing requirement, of which the current budget deficit forms a part. The pattern of borrowing in any year depends not only on the financing needs of the Exchequer at the time but also on the sources of finance available. It is not possible, therefore, at this stage to predict the composition and terms of the Exchequer's overall borrowing in 1978.
Details of current expenditure are published in the 1978 budget booklet. For the current supply services, the expenditure is set out in greater detail in the volume Estimates for Public Services for the year ending 31 December 1978 published prior to the budget.