HC Deb 23 January 1989 vol 145 c375W
Mr. David Evans

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outlook for general Government expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic profit.

Mr. Major

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's autumn statement to the House on 1 November 1988 set out the Government's plans for public spending. It noted that general Government expenditure (excluding privatisation proceeds) in 1988–89 is expected to be below 40 per cent. of GDP for the first time in over 20 years; and that over the next three years it is expected to fall further.