§ Mr. Jayasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the gross national product was represented by ordinary Government expenditure in the financial years 1938–39, 1950–51, and 1959–60; and what are the corresponding percentages if defence expenditure is omitted.
§ Mr. BarberTotal ordinary expenditure, expressed as a percentage of the gross national product at factor cost, was approximately 18 per cent. in 1938–39, 27 per cent. in 1950–51 and 25 per cent. in 1959–60. The corresponding figures, excluding defence expenditure, were 13 per cent., 21 per cent. and 18 per cent. respectively. Direct estimates of the gross national product are not available for financial years, and the figures have therefore been based on interpolations from the Estimates for calendar years.