§ 17. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to maintain social expenditure by reducing military expenditure.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettI have nothing to add to the answers I have given recently to similar Questions from my hon. Friend, the last occasion being on 16th December.—[Vol. 922, c.847–8.]
§ 27. Mr. Ashleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the latest details of total financial expenditure of Government broken down by Departments.
682W
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe figures are:
TOTAL ESTIMATES PROVISION FOR 1976–77 BY DEPARTMENT £m Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 399 Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce 44 Customs and Excise 145 Ministry of Defence 5,755 Department of Energy 280 Department of Education and Science 1,404 Exports Credits Guarantee Department 538 Department of the Environment 9,941 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 167 Ministry of Overseas Development 609 Department of Health and Social Security 8,725 Home Office 1,189 Inland Revenue 355 Department of Employment 911 Property Services Agency 851 Paymaster General's Office 316 HM Treasury 165 Department of Industry 1,525 Department of Trade 132 Department of Prices and Consumer Protection 415 Scottish Departments 2,291 Welsh Office 492 Northern Ireland 572 Other Departments 481 Total 37,702
§ 31. Mr. George Rodgersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, according to the latest estimate, is the proportion of gross domestic product devoted to expenditure in the public sector.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettI refer the hon Member to the estimate for 1975–76 published in the White Paper, Cmnd 6721–I (paragraph 51). Little change in the ratio is expected between 1975–76 and 1976–77.
§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Chancel lor of the Exchequer what was the amount of public expenditure per head for Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, respectively, for the financial year 1975–76; and what are his estimates for 1976–77.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettInformation is not available on total public expenditure in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England respectively. However, identifiable public expenditure per head in these countries in 1975–76 was £980, £846, £778 and £691, respectively. These figures exclude the capital expenditure of the nationalised industries but include Government grants and net lending to 683W them to reflect the new representation of public expenditure used in "The Government's Expenditure Plans" Cmnd 6721–I. The figures are, therefore, on a different basis from the figures for Scotland, Wales and England given in reply to the hon. Member for Conway (Mr. Roberts) on 29th November 1976–[Vol. 921, c. 46–48]—and the figures for Northern Ireland given in reply to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Price) on 22nd November 1976–[Vol. 919, c. 892] —Estimates for 1976–77 are not yet available.
§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what committees have been set up, and are now in operation, to examine the whole range of public expenditure; whether he is satisfied with the powers of these committees; and what steps he sees available to him to reduce spending.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe Public Expenditure Survey Committee, which is an interdepartmental committee of officials, continues to report to the Government on the whole range of public expenditure in the course of the annual survey. The Government as a whole examine and take decisions on the level of public spending. Their latest plans are set out in the White Paper published on 27th January (Cmnd. 6721–I). I am satisfied with the survey arrangements. There are two Committees of the House which examine public expenditure matters: the Public Accounts Committee and the Select Committee on Expenditure. The powers of these two Committees are a matter for the House.
§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the impact of public expenditure cuts, agreed as part of the IMF package in December 1976, on each spending Department: and whether these cuts will result in reduction of staff, or cut-back in capital projects which will either improve communications, living standards or supply employment.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettI will let the hon Member have a reply as soon as possible