HC Deb 16 June 1971 vol 819 cc111-2W
Mr. Armstrong

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the percentage increase in public

of value-added tax that is charged on the sale or disposal of sand and gravel, limestone, cement, timber and bricks, respectively, in each of the six Common Market countries.

Mr. Higgins

Italy has not yet introduced V.A.T. The information requested for the other Common Market countries is as follows:

expenditure on primary education between 1964–65 and 1969–70 at constant prices; what is the proposed percentage increase between 1969–70 and 1972–73; and if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the average annual increase in money terms over the whole period 1964–65 to 1972–73.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The conversion of educational expenditure for past years to a constant price basis presents technical difficulties and the results are to be treated with caution. Subject to that reservation, I estimate that current expenditure on primary education in England and Wales between 1964–65 and 1969–70 rose in real terms by about 23 per cent. The corresponding increase between 1969–70 and 1972–73 will probably be about 13 per cent. Comparable information on capital expenditure is not readily available.

In money terms the average annual increase between 1964–65 and 1969–70 was 10 per cent. for current and capital together. Forecasts of expenditure for future years are made only on a constant price basis.