HC Deb 24 February 1977 vol 926 cc681-3W
17. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to maintain social expenditure by reducing military expenditure.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I 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. Ashley

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the latest details of total financial expenditure of Government broken down by Departments.

Mr. Joel Barnett

The 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 Employment911
Property Services Agency851
Paymaster General's Office316
HM Treasury 165
Department of Industry1,525
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 Rodgers

asked 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 Barnett

I 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-Davison

asked 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 Barnett

Information 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 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. Osborn

asked 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 Barnett

The 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. Osborn

asked 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 Barnett

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