HC Deb 19 January 1970 vol 794 cc65-6W
Mr. Marten

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the annual growth rates of Great Britain and, from information available to him from international sources, of each country in the Common Market and the European Free Trade Area since 1945 to date, and the projected growth rates for 1970.

Mr. William Rodgers

Information on growth rates from 1950 to 1967, the longest period available, is given in the following table. The figures relate to the growth of gross domestic product at constant market prices. Comparable figures are not at present available for years after 1967 but the hon. Member will find projected growth rates up to 1970 for all these countries except Portugal in the December, 1969, edition ofEconomic Outlook, published by O.E.C.D.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AT CONSTANT MARKET PRICES
Average annual percentage increase 1950–67
Common Market countries European Free Trade Area
Belgium 3.6 Austria 5.1
France 4.2 Denmark 3.8
West Germany 6.4 Norway 4.3
Italy 5.3 Sweden 4.1
Netherlands 4.7 Switzerland 4.2
Portugal 5.0
United Kingdom 2.9

Source: United Nations Yearbook of Nationa Accounts Statistics 1968.