§ Sir Thomas ArnoldTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the current share of Government spending in gross domestic product;
(2) if he will set out the share of Government spending in gross domestic product in each year since 1978.
§ Mr. NelsonFigures for general Government—central Government plus local authorities—total expenditure on goods and services as a percentage of the expenditure-based measure of gross domestic product, both at current market prices, from 1978 to 1991, are given in the table.
Year Percentage 1978 22.5 1979 22.2 1980 23.5 1981 23.4 1982 23.2 1983 23.5 1984 23.6 1985 22.8 1986 22.6 1987 22.0 1988 21.0 1989 21.2 1990 22.3 1991 22.3 Figures for financial years for the ratio of general Government expenditure excluding privatisation proceeds to gross domestic product were set out in the 1992–93 "Financial Statement and Budget Report", table 2A.1.