asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider the International Monetary Fund's estimation of United Kingdom growth of 1.6 per cent in 2008 and 2009 is correct. [HL3126]

The Government published their own latest economic forecasts in the Financial Statement and Budget Report (HC 388) on March 12. The International Monetary Fund's forecasts are a matter for it.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the economy is growing or falling into recession. [HL3128]

The UK economy grew by 3 per cent in 2007, the fastest rate of any G7 country, and the UK economy is expected to continue to grow, as set out in Financial Statement and Budget Report 2008 (HC 388) on 12 March. Latest official data, released on 25 April, show that GDP grew by 0.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2008, the 63rd consecutive quarter of growth and the longest unbroken expansion on record.