Written question asked by Lord Spellar (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 April 1996. It was answered by Angela Knight (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 April 1996 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: What is his Department's estimate of the cost of capital to industry in the United Kingdom; and what are the figures for (a) the USA, (b) Germany and (c) Japan. - Figs not given.

Answer: Mr. Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's estimate of the cost of capital to industry in the United Kingdom; and what are the figures for (a) the United States of America, (b) Germany and (c) Japan.[25386] Mrs. Angela Knight: There is no universally accepted method for calculating the cost of capital to industry as a whole. All estimates are subject to conceptual and measurement problems, and international comparisons are especially difficult.

Secondary information