asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of the national debt as at 31 December in each year from 1977 to 1988 inclusive; the percentage increase/decrease year by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - National Debt.
68.
The information requested is set out below:
|
Year ended 31 December |
National Debt |
Annual Percentage Increase |
|
£m |
% |
|
|
1977 |
4,229 |
|
|
1978 |
5,167 |
22 |
|
1979 |
6,540 |
27 |
|
1980 |
7,896 |
21 |
|
1981 |
10,195 |
29 |
|
1982 |
11,669 |
14 |
|
1983 |
14,392 |
23 |
|
1984 |
16,821 |
17 |
|
1985 |
18,501 |
10 |
|
1986 |
21,611 |
17 |
|
1987 |
23,691 |
10 |
|
1988* |
24,610 |
4 |
*provisional
Certain changes have been made in calculating the national debt and these changes are included in the figures provided from 1982 onwards.
The national debt/gross national product ratio remained unchanged in 1988. Given stability in international exchange rates, the Government's objective under the Programme for National Recovery of stabilising the ratio of national debt to GNP will be secured in 1989.