§ Mr. David Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, from the sources available to him, he will publish estimates of the percentage increases over the previous year in (a) total public expenditure at current and constant prices 530W and (b) public expenditure on goods and services at current and constant prices in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the USA for the fiscal or calendar years 1974, 1975 and 1976.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe following estimates of changes in expenditure on goods and services at constant prices are taken from the OECD "Economic Outlook" of December 1975. In all cases, including the United Kingdom the figures for 1975 and 1976 represent OECD opinion, and not that of the Governments concerned. United Kingdom expenditure plans will, as usual, be published in the annual White Paper.
Percent change [...] constant prices on previous year 1974 1975 1976 estimate forecast Government consumption— United Kingdom 3.2 3¼ 3 France 3.5 2½ 2½ Germany 4.7 2½ 2½ Italy 1.9 ½ 2 Japan 3.1 4 3¼ United States* 1.1 2¼ 2 Public investment†— United Kingdom 0.7 3¾ 1¼ France‡ 0.5 7 10 Germany§ 11.0 1 3 Italy 1.9 ½ 2 Japan -12.3 15¼ 5 * Including investment in equipment and stocks. † Including investment in nationalised industries. ‡ Excluding housing. § Excluding investment in nationalised industries. Estimates in current prices are not generally available for 1976.
The following figures are derived from a variety of sources.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE* Percent increases at current prices on previous year 1974 1975 United Kingdom 30 .. France 15 19½ Germany 15½ .. Italy 17 .. Japan† 21 16 United States 13 .. * Central, State and local Governments and social security funds. † Years to 30th March 1975 and 1976 Comparable estimates of total expenditure at constant prices and expenditure on goods and services at current prices are not generally available for these years.