HC Deb 10 June 1982 vol 25 cc161-2W
Mr. Cook

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the years 1970–71 to 1982–83 the public expenditure gross domestic product ratio on both the pre-1977 and the post-1977 definition of public expenditure, reconciling these by showing the difference in percentage points attributable to (a) different treatment of nationalised industries, (b) different treatment of debt interest and (c) other changes;

(2) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year from 1945 to the latest year available, on as consistent a basis as possible (a) public expenditure analysed by functional programmes, (b) public expenditure analysed by economic category, distinguishing (i) capital and current, (ii) transfer payments and expenditure on goods and services and (iii) the expenditure on wages and salaries, associated employment costs, expenditure on other goods and services, and debt servicing;

(3) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year from 1945 to the latest year available, on as consistent a basis as possible (a) public expenditure at current prices, (b) public expenditure as a proportion of gross domestic product, (c) public expenditure at constant prices, (d) the percentage of public expenditure attributable to central Government, (e) the percentage of public expenditure attributable to local government and (f) the percentage of public expenditure attributable to public corporations, indicating the points in the time series where changes in definition make the data not directly comparable.

Mr. Brittan

Much of the information requested is not readily available, but I shall write to the hon. Member giving him the material that can be readily compiled.

Mr. Meacher

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the equivalent of table 1.9 of Cmnd. 8494 in terms of 1982–83 cash prices, for each of the years given.

Mr. Brittan

No. I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to him on 14 May and on 31 March to the right hon. Member for Stepney and Poplar (Mr. Shore).