§ 60. Mr. Rentonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the national income has been spent by the Government in each of the last three financial years; and what proportion it is estimated will be so spent during the current financial year.
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§ Mr. H. BrookeThe total expenditure by the Central Government, including all subsidies, grants and other transfer payments to persons, local authorities, the National Insurance Funds and other sections of the community, but excluding all payments by the National Insurance Funds, expressed as a percentage of the gross national product, was 31.9 per cent. in 1952, 31.2 per cent. in 1953, and 28.3 per cent. in 1954. Figures are available on this basis only for calendar years. It appears probable that the proportion for 1955 will be about the same as that for 1954.