§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will set out in tabular form for the years 1938, 1948, and 1958, respectively, the expenditure on National Assistance, unemployment 109W benefit, sickness benefit, war pensions, total social security payments, housing subsidies, national health services, public capital outlay on health, hospitals, education, housing, railways, roads, and all war purposes, respectively, each expressed as a percentage of the gross national product at market prices for the year concerned.
§ Mr. SimonThe table below gives the figures for 1938 (so far as they are available), 1948 and 1957. Figures for 1958 are not yet available in the full detail requested, and for these I would ask the hon. Member to await the publication of the National Income Blue Book later this year.
EXPENDITURE ON CERTAIN SERVICES BY PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AS PERCENTAGES OF THE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT AT MARKET PRICES Per cent. — 1938 1948 1957 Current expenditure and grants National Insurance benefits, pensions and assistance, of which: 5.2 5.4 5.5 Assistance grants (including outdoor relief) 1.0 0.4 0.6 Unemployment benefit 1.0 0.2 0.1 Sickness benefit 0.4 0.4 0.5 War pensions and service grants 0.7 0.7 0.4 Housing subsidies 0.4 0.6 0.5 Health services n.a. 2.2 3.2 Capital expenditure Health services (including hospitals) 0.1 0.1 0.1 Education and child care 0.3 0.2 0.6 Housing* 1.0 2.6 1.6 Railways† n.a. 0.4 0.6 Roads and public lighting 0.3 0.1 0.2 Military and civil defence n.a. 0.1 0.4 * Including expenditure by New Town Corporations and Housing Associations. † Expenditure by British Transport Commission.