asked the Minister for Finance the likely cost in 1983 of servicing the general debt as between interest payments and capital repayments, assuming that for the remainder of 1982 the same proportion as between external and internal financing of public debt is maintained as was maintained in 1981.
Written Answers. - Public Debt Servicing.
572.
On the assumptions stated by the Deputy the payments in 1983 on the national debt at end 1982 are estimated to be as follows: Interest Payments, £1,450 million; Capital and sinking Fund Payments, £1,110 million. These estimates are based on current interest and exchange rates. Very short-term liabilities such as Exchequer Bills which are being constantly rolled over and small savings are not included in the estimates for capital payments. As the borrowing requirement for 1983 is not known at this stage it is not possible to calculate what payments it will give rise to in 1983.