Interest Rates

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 16 Mai 1991.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Norman Lamont Mr Norman Lamont , Kingston upon Thames 12:00, 16 Mai 1991

On the first point, it is not true that the benefits of the reductions in interest rates have not come through to mortgage payers. As I explained earlier, the result of the 3 per cent. drop in interest rates since last October has been a payments reduction of about £50 per month for the average mortgage payer. That is a very dramatic improvement in take-home pay. Furthermore, as a result of competition between the banks and the building societies, the first-time buyer has seen an even bigger decrease. The market is working, and it is following interest rates down.