asked the Minister for Finance the amount by which the national debt has increased from the 15th March, 1973, to date; and the annual cost of servicing such increase.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Debt.
13.
The national debt is compiled as at 31st March each year and is published in the finance accounts which are available in the Library.
The national debt outstanding as at 31st March, 1973, was £1,421 million. The cost of servicing the national debt in the year ending 31st March, 1973, was £127 million.
The Minister has no figures since 31st March of this year?
No. The Deputy will recall that when he was Minister for Finance he was asked on several occasions for figures after 31st March and he always pointed out that, as 31st March was the end of the accounting year, it was the only date on which one could find any comparable or meaningful figures.
I presume that we will be given these figures in due course?
On 31st March, 1974.