HC Deb 30 March 1979 vol 965 cc424-6W
Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Government's forecast of percentage increases in local government spending in England and Wales in real terms for each year since 1974–75; what is the actual percentage increase in local government spending for each year; and what is the amount overspent in percentage terms.

Mr. Guy Barnett

The following table sets out the annual percentage changes in local government expenditure (a) since 1974–75 implied by the figures in recent public expenditure White Papers:

July last year. The figures, revised in the light of further outturn information, and expressed at 1978 survey prices, are now as follows.

Total local authority capital expenditure £ million Locally determined expenditure as percentage of total
1974–75 5,347 15.8
1975–76 4,701 17.1
1976–77 3,915 16.9
1977–78 3,127 19.0

Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total expenditure by local authorities in England and Wales on superannuation funds for each year since 1974–75.

Mr. Guy Barnett

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on Thursday 8 March 1979.—[Vol. 963, c. 746.]

Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total local government capital ex-

£ million outturn prices
Year Capital expenditure* New construction (percentage) Capital expenditure* New construction (percentage)
1974–75 1975–76
Roads and transport 488 71 540 71
Housing 2,777 50 2,605 68
Law and order 61 70 77 70
Education 525 74 570 76
Health and social services 80 82 89 84
All other servicest 508 73 611 74
1976–77 1977–78
Roads and transport 553 70 510 64
Housing 2,306 85 1,980 96
Law and order 71 74 67 72
Education 558 77 471 79
Health and social services 79 85 56 82
All other servicest 568 76 554 76
* Based on the definitions used in the latest public expenditure White Paper—Cmnd. 7439—net of sales.
† Mainly other environmental services.

Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total local government current expenditure in Great Britain analysis by service for each year since 1974–75; and, in each case, what percentage of total current expenditure is accounted for by wages and salaries.

Mr. Guy Barnett

Annual figures of local government current expenditure by service since 1974–75 has been published in "The Government's Expenditure Plans, 1978–80 to 1982–83"—Cmnd. 7439—tables 4.2 (Scotland) and 4.6 (England and Wales). The following table shows wages and salaries as a percentage of total current expenditure(1) corresponding to the figures in Cmnd. 7439:

1974–75 74.4
1975–76 73.9
1976–77 74.3
1977–78 73.1

(1) Total current expenditure is net of income from sales, fees and charges and other—non-grant—income.

Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the gross domestic product was taken by local authority expenditure in 1951, 1964, 1970, 1974 and 1978.

penditure in Great Britain analysed by service for each year since 1974–75; and, in each case, what percentage of total capital expenditure is accounted for by new construction.

Mr. Guy Barnett

The information is attached.

Mr. Guy Barnett

Local authority expenditure on goods and services, both current and capital, formed the following percentages of gross domestic expenditure at market prices.

Per cent.
1951 7.4
1964 9.0
1970 10.7
1974 11.6
1978(2) 10.5
(2) Provisional estimate.

Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the outstanding debt of local government in England and Wales.

Mr. Guy Barnett

About £29 billion, of which £24 billion is external debt and £5 billion internal debt.