§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out his reasons for any changes that have been made in the analysis of the growth and use of resources in the Public Expenditure White Paper which he is to pubish shortly.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettI will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied with the use of 1970 factor cost prices for projecting the growth and use of resources as in the Public Expenditure White Paper and elsewhere; and whether he will consider instructing his Department to adopt a price base for a year since the oil price increase for future White Papers.
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§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe Government's expenditure plans to 1978–79 are presented, at 1976 Survey Prices, in Cmnd. 6721-I. Other economic projections such as those in the annual Financial Statement and Budget Report are presented at 1970 factor cost to be in line with the National Accounts. These are rebased periodically in line with changes in the pattern of demand and relative prices. This rebasing is a costly exercise. Its timing is agreed internationally. Accordingly, the National Accounts will be revised on to a 1975 price basis in 1978.