§ Mr. Alisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table 56W showing public expenditure as defined in the Treasury analysis in National Income and Expenditure 1968 at constant prices, using the annual comparisons of public expenditure as a price deflator, per head of population for the financial years 1946–47, 1950–51 and 1959–60 to 1968–69, inclusive, and showing the average annual rate of change in 1946–47 to 1950–51, 1950–51 to 1964–65, and 1964–65 to 1968–69.
§ Mr. DiamondThe average annual increases in public expenditure*, as defined in the Treasury analysis in "National Income and Expenditure 1968 ", at constant prices per head of population over the periods 1959–60 to 1964–65, and 1964–65 to 1968–69 were of the order of 3½ per cent. and 4½ per cent. respectively. For the reasons explained to the hon. Member in my reply of 18th February, 1969, I do not feel able to publish actual figures of public expenditure per head of population at constant prices.
Public expenditure, as defined above, for financial years prior to 1959–60 is not available.
* Excluding investment grants, S.E.T. additional payments, R.E.P., capital expenditure by the nationalised industries, etc., and debt interest.