HC Deb 11 July 1983 vol 45 c253W
Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of tenders for Government contracts were let in March, April or May in each of the past five years.

Mr. Ridley

Figures for the award of Government contracts on a monthly basis are not available.

1976 1977 1978 1979 1980
Netherlands 55.9 56.0 57.5 59.5 62.5
Sweden 51.9 57.9 59.6 65.1 65.7
Norway 48.5 50.2 52.3 51.4 49.4
United Kingdom 46.1 44.1 43.7 43.5 44.6
Denmark 47.8 48.9 50.6 54.0 56.0
Belgium 45.1 46.6 47.9 49.5 51.7
West Germany 46.4 46.5 46.5 46.4 46.9
Italy 42.2 42.5 46.1 45.5 45.6
Canada 39.6 40.6 41.0 39.3 40.7
France 44.0 44.2 45.2 45.4 46.2
Austria 46.9 46.8 49.7 48.8 48.5
USA 34.4 33.5 33.1 32.8 33.2
Australia 32.9 34.3 33.7 33.2 34.1
Japan 27.9 29.0 31.1 31.6 32.7

Source: OECD Economic Outlook December 1982.

Table R8: Total outlays of Government as a percentage of GDP.

* Current expenditure, capital formation and net capital transfers.