HC Deb 29 November 1966 vol 737 cc47-8W
35. Mr. Hordern

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the forecast in the National Plan of an increase in public expenditure of 4½ per cent. per annum at constant prices still stands; and if he will make a statement.

46 and 66. Mr. Biffen

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he proposes to revise the figures contained in Command Paper No. 2915, Public Expenditure: Planning and Control, in the light of subsequent economic development and the proposed revision of the National Plan;

(2) what steps he has taken to set in hand a revision of expenditure programmes in education, health and other public services as outlined in the National Plan, in view of the fact that the rate of growth on which the predictions were made is no longer available.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for adjusting the rate of increase in Government expenditure to the rate of increase in the gross national product.

Sir C. Osborne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent O.E.C. economic policy commit- tee's report that it was unable to forecast any growth rate for Great Britain for the whole of next year, he will take immediate steps to reduce Government expenditure.

Mr. Callaghan

As part of the process of periodically surveying public sector expenditure, described in Command Paper No. 2915, I shall be examining the various programmes in the light of the planning operation referred to by my right hon. Friend the First Secretary on 10th November.

44. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing total public expenditure in the United Kingdom and Scotland, respectively, for the year 1965–66 on roads, airports, agriculture and fisheries, housing, education, including universities, health and welfare, police, prisons and law and order, children's services, promotion of local employment, environmental services, and the total for all nationalised industries, in each case indicating what percentage of the total United Kingdom figure is spent in Scotland.

Mr. MacDermot

The following is the table:

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN 1965–66 IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SCOTLAND RESPECTIVELY FOR CERTAIN SPECIFIED SERVICES*
Service United Kingdom Scotland Scotland as percentage of United Kingdom
£ million £ million
Roads 434.3 45.4 10.5
Airports 21.2 4.5 21.2
Agriculture and fisheries 275.0 37.2 13.5
Housing 900.5 149.2 16.6
Education (including Universities) 1,617.5 171.0 10.6
Health and welfare 1,361.7 140.1 10.3
Police, prisons and law and order 358.3 32.7 9.1
Children's services 347.3 37.4 10.8
Promotion of local employment 25.8† 8.4 32.6
Environmental services 594.2 72.0 12.1
Nationalised industries 1,255.5‡ 105.4 8.4
* As contained in the National Income Blue Book (Treasury Analysis of Public Expenditure).
† Great Britain figure. The percentage given also relates to Great Britain.
‡ Includes Northern Ireland public corporations.