§ Mr. Robert Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the year 1968, which is referred to in Factsheet on Britain and Europe No. 4, is the latest date for which comparable figures for investment in the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community are available.
§ Mr. HigginsThe latest figures, for the year 1969, are given in answer to a subsequent question from my hon. Friend. They do not alter the comparison made in the Factsheet.
§ Mr. Robert Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the difference in the proportions of the gross national products of the United Kingdom and of the European Economic Community expended on new investment, as given in Factsheet on Britain and Europe No. 4, are due to higher direct taxation in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HigginsIt is not possible to quantify the relationship between levels of direct taxation and the proportions of new investment.
§ Mr. Robert Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the fraction of nearly a quarter, referred to in Factsheet on Britain and Europe No. 4 in relation to new investment in the Community, is a uniform statistic for all countries in the Community ; and if he will give the fractions for each country therein.
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§ Mr. HigginsThe fraction is not uniform and the latest available figures for the individual countries of the Community are given in the table below. They are based on National Accounts 1956–69 published by the Statistical Office of the European Communities and the latest published figures for the United Kingdom.
Fixed investment as a percentage of gross national product at market prices, 1969 Belgium 21.4 France 25.4 Germany 24.3 Italy 20.6 Luxembourg 25.5 Netherlands 25.6 European Economic Community 23.9 United Kingdom 17.4