Public Expenditure

HC Deb 09 February 1976 vol 905 cc46-9W

Mr. David Howell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Horsham and Crawley (Mr. Hordern) on 21st January 1976, Official Report, column 491–2, it he will provide figures showing central and local government capital expenditure on goods and services as a proportion of GNP at factor cost, in current and constant prices for 1946 to 1975; and if he will provide estimates on the same basis and for the same period for all expenditure on goods and services.

Mr. Denzil Davies

In Tables 1 and 2 below proportions calculated at current

TABLE 1
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES'* CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON GOODS AND SERVICES EXPRESSED AS PERCENTAGES OF GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT AT FACTOR COST
			At current prices	At constant 1970 prices†
			Central government‡	Local authorities§	Total public authorities	Central government‡	Local authorities§	Total public authorities
1956	…	…	1.0	2.9	3.9
1957	…	…	1.0	2.8	3.8
1958	…	…	1.1	2.6	3.7
1959	…	…	1.1	2.6	3.7
1960	…	…	1.0	2.5	3.5
1961	…	…	0.9	2.6	3.5
1962	…	…	0.9	2.9	3.8
1963	…	…	0.9	2.9	3.8	0.8	2.7	3.5
1964	…	…	1.0	3.3	4.3	1.0	3.1	4.1
1965	…	…	1.0	3.3	4.3	1.0	3.1	4.1
1966	…	…	1.0	3.6	4.6	1.0	3.4	4.4
1967	…	…	1.1	4.0	5.1	1.1	3.9	5.0
1968	…	…	1.2	4.1	5.3	1.2	4.1	5.3
1969	…	…	1.2	4.0	5.2	1.2	4.0	5.2
1970	…	…	1.4	3.8	5.2	1.4	3.8	5.2
1971	…	…	1.3	3.7	5.0	1.3	3.9	5.2
1972	…	…	1.1	3.8	4.9	1.2	3.9	5.1
1973	…	…	1.2	3.9	5.1	1.2	3.6	4.8
1974	…	…	1.2	3.7	4.9	1.1	3.2	4.3

TABLE 2
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES' TOTAL CURRENT AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE* ON GOODS AND SERVICES EXPRESSED AS PERCENTAGES OF GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT AT FACTOR COST
			At current prices	At constant 1970 prices†
			Central government‡	Local authorities§	Total public authorities	Central government‡	Local authorities§	Total public authorities
1956	…	…	14.5	8.4	22.9
1957	…	…	14.0	8.5	22.5
1958	…	…	13.6	8.4	22.0
1959	…	…	13.8	8.5	22.3
1960	…	…	13.6	8.5	22.1
1961	…	…	13.5	8.7	22.2
1962	…	…	13.6	9.4	23.0
1963	…	…	13.2	9.6	22.8	15.3	10.4	25.7
1964	…	…	13.0	9.9	22.9	14.7	10.7	25.4
1965	…	…	13.2	10.2	23.4	14.6	10.8	25.4
1966	…	…	13.3	10.9	24.2	14.5	11.4	25.9
1967	…	…	13.9	11.8	25.7	15.0	12.2	27.2
1968	…	…	13.7	12.0	25.7	14.5	12.4	26.9
1969	…	…	13.4	12.1	25.5	13.8	12.2	26.0
1970	…	…	13.8	12.2	26.0	13.8	12.2	26.0
1971	…	…	13.8	12.2	26.0	13.6	12.5	26.1
1972	…	…	13.6	12.6	26.2	13.5	13.0	26.5
1973	…	…	13.1	12.7	25.8	12.9	12.8	25.7
1974	…	…	14.6	12.8	27.4	13.2	12.6	25.8
* Including the value of the physical increase in stocks; excluding net purchases of land and existing buildings.
† Percentages calculated from estimates at constant prices depend upon the set of constant prices used.
‡ From April 1961 excludes the Post Office.
§ From April 1974 excludes regional water authorities and public trusts ports.

prices are given for the years 1956 to 1974, together with proportions based on estimates at constant 1970 prices for the years 1963 to 1974 only. Estimates of public authorities' capital expenditure on goods and services for years before 1956 are not readily available. As explained in answer to the earlier Question, proportions based on estimates at constant 1970 prices are not available for years before 1963.

Mr. John Moore

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, compared with 1963, what is the current burden per head of public expenditure.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Norman Lamont

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what multiplier is used to convert public expenditure figures from 1970 factor cost prices to 1974–75 outturn prices.

Mr. Joel Barnett

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th February 1976; Vol. 904, c. 779], gave the following information:

The operation described in the Question is not performed.