§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of all forms of state support, including subsidies, grants and write-offs for the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Peter ReesExpenditure on all forms of state support (central Government and local authorities) in 1982 was:
£ million Subsidies 5,456 Current grants to persons 36,249 Capital grants 2,874 Debt write-offs 1,081 Total 45,660 Source: Financial Statistics and National Income and Expenditure, 1983 edition.
Of the current grants to persons, £18,671 million were national insurance benefits which were offset by contributions of £16,042 million.