§ 21. Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received about his latest forecasts for public expenditure.
§ Mr. MacGregorI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville).
§ 22. Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in central Government's current spending in each year since 1980; and what are the corresponding figures for local government.
§ Mr. MacGregorBetween 1980–81 and 1984–85 central Government current spending rose by 46.3 per cent. and local authority current spending relevant for RSG by 37.5 per cent. Two of the major factors behind the increase in public expenditure—defence and the increase in numbers unemployed—have had a significant impact on central Government current spending. The 1984–85 figures are also affected by the impact of the coal strike. The full figures are given in the table.
585W
Current expenditure: central and local government £ billion except where stated 1980–81 outturn 1981–82 outturn 1982–83 outturn 1983–84 outturn 1984–85 outturn Central government Current spending* 61.2 70.3 78.2 82.0 89.5 Increase in cash 9.2 7.9 3.8 7.5 Percentage increase +15.0 +11.2 +4.9 +9.1 Local authority Current spending 18.7 21.0 22.8 24.3 25.8 Relevant for RSG* Increase in cash 2.2 1.9 1.5 1.4 Percentage increase +11.8 +8.9 +6.6 +5.9 * Including finance for public corporations.
§ 32. Mr. Woodasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about representations he has received on public expenditure in 1986–87.
§ Mr. MacGregorI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville).
§ 34. Mr. Fallonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will review the working of the public expenditure territorial block formulae.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe working of the territorial block formulae is kept under constant review.
§ 35. Mrs. Virginia Bottomleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the public expenditure in 1985–86; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorWe receive representations on public expenditure matters throughout the year. The latest estimated outturn for 1985–86 will be given on Budget day.