§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing the total amount spent on subsidies and all welfare benefits at the latest date for which figures are available; if he will give details of the corresponding figures for each of the previous five years; and if he will also show each of these amounts as a percentage of the gross national product for the corresponding year.
§ Mr. Denzil DaviesI have been asked to reply.
The table below shows total expenditure on subsidies, social security benefits and rent rebates and allowances, both in £ million and as a percentage of the GNP for the corresponding year.
EXPENDITURE ON SUBSIDIES, SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND RENT REBATES AND ALLOWANCES £ million Per cent. of GNP 1970 4,616 10.5 1971 5,012 10.2 1972 6,050 10.9 1973 6,925 10.7 1974 9,731 13.0 1975 12,594 13.4 Source: "National Income and Expenditure 1965–75".