§ 52. Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is now the annual level of total public expenditure and central Government expenditure, respectively; and if he will express this as a percentage of gross national product, indicating future trends and comparing this with the position in 1970 and 1965.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettPublic expenditure in 1974–75 amounted to 56.7 per cent.of gross national product at factor cost. The figures for 1970 and 1965 axe 49.9 and 44.6 per cent. The corresponding figures for Central Government expenditure are 44.9, 40.0 and 35.0 per cent. respectively.
So far as the future is concerned, the Government's plans for public expenditure are under review. The outcome of this reappraisal will be published in the annual Public Expenditure White Paper.