Written question asked by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru) on Thursday, 22 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 June 2003. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Monday, 9 June 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what percentage of ECGD debt is interest payments. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of ECGD debt is interest payments. [116788] Ms Hewitt: As at 31 March 2003 sovereign debt owing to ECGD under rescheduling agreements negotiated under the auspices of the Paris Club amounted to £9.6 billion. This debt portfolio consisted of £5.4 billion original debt £3.5 billion of capitalised interest and £700 million interest in arrears. Interest therefore accounts for some 44 per cent. of the total debt.

Secondary information