§ Mr. Swinglerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will express as percentages of total Government expenditure the proportions taken by the defence services, the social services, and interest on the National Debt, respectively, in 1952–53 and 1962–63.
§ Mr. BarberAs the out-turn for 1962–63 is not yet available the table below gives the information for the calendar years 1952 and 1962. The figures relate to current expenditure only and are expressed as percentages of total Central Government current expenditure, including expenditure from the National Insurance Funds, as shown in Table 36 of the Blue Book, National Income and Expenditure, 1962. The figures for social
12Wtive grade of the Home Civil Service, respectively, obtained 1st class and 2nd class honours degrees, respectively, in the period 1952–62; and what percentage these figures constitute in each case.
§ Mr. BarberThe following is the information asked for in respect of entry to the administrative class of the Home Civil Service through the Open Competition:
services cover education, child care, school meals, milk and welfare foods, the National Health Service, National Insurance, pensions and assistance, but relate only to direct expenditure. In addition, a large part of the grants made to local authorities is devoted to expenditure on the social services, but since this element cannot be isolated for 1962, the total grants for both years have been shown separately in the table.
Percentages — 1952 1962 Proportion of total Central Government current expenditure devoted to: Defence 32.1 23.6 Social services 29.1 35.3 Grants to local authorities 8.8 12.6 Debt interest 13.2 11.4