Public Expenditure

HC Deb 24 January 1974 vol 867 cc316-7W

Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much public expenditure has been cut in the last three years.

Mr. Tom Boardman

The changes since June 1970 in estimates of public expenditure for the years 1971–72 to 1974–75 have been shown in successive public expenditure White Papers, the estimates for 1974–75 being subject to the reductions which my right hon. Friend

£ million
		1971–72	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75
January 1971—Cmnd. 4578 (1970 Survey prices)	…	−347	−393	−582	−852
November 1971—Cmnd. 4829 (1971 Survey prices)	…	+448	+603	+570	+428
December 1972—Cmnd. 5178 (1972 Survey prices)	…	−196	+434	+1,160	+1,213
December 1973—Cmnd. 5519 (1973 Survey prices)	…	−48	−592	−13	−29
Statement on 17th December 1973 (1973 Survey prices)	…	—	—	—	−1,180
TOTAL (estimated at 1973 Survey prices)	…	−150	+150	+1,250	−350

Note:

All estimates exclude investment grants, refinance of exports and shipbuilding credits and changes in social security payments to restore purchasing power.

The reductions in public expenditure announced on 27th October 1970, and on 21st May. 8th October and 17th December 1973 are all included within the estimates above.

Mr. Dormand

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cuts in public expenditure in each of the regions.

Mr. Tom Boardman

Forward estimates of expenditure in Supply Estimates and in the annual Public Expenditure White Papers are given on a national basis: regional analyses are not available of the estimates for 1973–74 and 1974–75 either before or after the reductions which my right hon. Friend announced on 17th December ; these reductions did not of course apply to regional development grants or to other measures of financial assistance to industry in the regions.