HC Deb 09 February 1977 vol 925 cc724-5W
Mr. Ridley

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury still undertakes projections of economic developments over a five-year period; and whether these are still capable of generating information about the growth and use of resources which has been published traditionally in White Papers on public expenditure.

Mr. Joel Barnett

In present circumstances, with a period of major adjustment in the economy lying ahead, the conventional five-year projections of the growth and use of resources, as published in previous years' White Papers on public expenditure, are not thought to be useful.

Mr. Ridley

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent and in what respect the appraisal of the economic prospect in his Budget Statement, which is referred to in paragraph 55 in Command Paper No. 6721-I, will cover issues of longer-term interest not normally treated in a Budget Statement.

Mr. Joel Barnett

This will be decided nearer the time.