HC Deb 26 June 1962 vol 661 cc124-5W
Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the estimated cost per week per head of the population for 1962–63 of health services, education, retirement pensions, industrial injuries, sickness benefit, housing subsidies and defence.

Sir E. Boyle

Estimated expenditure in 1962–63 on the defence budget is equivalent to about 12s. 6d. per week per head of the population. For the other items mentioned in the Question the 1962–63 Supply Estimates cover only part of the total expenditure but comprehensive figures covering expenditure by the central Government, by local authorities and by the National Insurance Funds are available for past periods in the National Income and Expenditure Accounts. For the calendar year 1961 the figures on this basis were as follows:

Expenditure per week per head of the population
s. d.
National Health Service* … 6 9
Education* … 7 7
Retirement pensions† … 5 6
Industrial injuries benefits† … 5
Sickness benefit† … 1 1
Housing subsidies … 11
*Including both current and capital expenditure.
†National Insurance rates of benefit were increased as from April, 1961. The figures therefore represent three months' expenditure at the old rates and nine months at the new rates.

Class Quantity Net Receipts (including Special Surcharge)
Oils chargeable with Customs Duty Gallons £
Light Oils 2,648,910,575 353,213,839*
of which motor (including aviation) spirit (2,589,625,031) (345,231,351)
Heavy Oils:
For use as road fuel 754,562,475 100,758,258
Other 5,815,019,696 53,513,026
Oils chargeable with Excise Duty
Light Oils 101,894,078 6,778,787
of which motor (including aviation) spirit (38,257,546) (2,541,606)
Heavy Oils:
For use as road fuel 24,927,784 1,673,939
Other 106,280,555 947,561
TOTAL 516,885,410
Allowance on certain home-produced oils used in approved refineries as raw material for chemical synthesis 6,584,380
NET TOTAL 510,301,030
*Includes £71,443 in respect of light oils contained in composite goods on which oil duty was charged at a flat rate under the Composite Goods Order, 1958, and for which information as to the quantity of oil is not available.
These particulars relate to oils subject to a net liability to Customs or Excise duty; i.e. they exclude quantities of certain heavy oils delivered when the duty was wholly rebated, i.e., before 6 p.m. on 17th April, 1961.