§ Mr. Hirstasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the gross national product is represented by Government expenditure in the United Kingdom; what information he has, through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, of the comparable percentage in West Germany, France, Japan, the United States of America and Italy, respectively; and if he will publish this information.
§ Sir E. BoyleTotal expenditure by central and local government in the United Kingdom, on current and capital account combined, on goods and services, debt interest, subsidies and grants (including payments from the National Insurance Funds) but excluding loans and other transactions in financial assets, represented 37 per cent. of the gross national product at factor cost in 1960. Corresponding figures for the other countries mentioned in the Question are shown below, with the exception of Japan, for which information on this basis is not available.
Per cent. Federal Republic of Germany … 39 France … 40 United States of America … 31 Italy … 40 While these figures are as far as possible on a comparable basis to those 88W centage in West Germany, Japan, the United States of America, France and Italy, respectively; and if he will publish this information.
§ Sir E. BoyleThe table below shows total taxes collected by central and local government expressed as percentages of the gross national product at factor cost. The figures for Japan relate to the financial year beginning 1st April, 1959. The figures for other countries are for the calendar year 1960.
for the United Kingdom, there are minor differences in the available statistics and this should be borne in mind in making comparisons.