HC Deb 17 December 1981 vol 15 cc193-4W
35. Mr. Foster

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in preparing his public expenditure proposals for the next financial year, he will seek to adjust the provision for public capital expenditure in such a way as to alleviate the unemployment problems in the North of England.

Mr. Brittan

My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 2 December our decisions on expenditure for 1982–83. Those decisions reflect the Government's aim to alleviate the unemployment problem across the country as a whole.

36. Mr. Chapman

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of total Government revenue and total public expenditure in the financial year1981–82.

Mr. Brittan

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made clear in questions following the statement on 2 December, it is too early to give a precise estimate of public expenditure this year. Avery provisional figure would be £107 billion, but the Civil Service dispute has affected monitoring and changes in circumstances could well lead to a higher or lower total. It is not customary to give precise estimates of revenue outturn at this time of year, but indications are that revenue is somewhat higher than in the March estimate so that the PSBR is on track for the Budget Estimate of £10½ billion.