HC Deb 10 March 1977 vol 927 cc644-7W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an adjusted version of table 2.6 in the White Paper on the Government's Expenditure Plans, Command Paper No. 6721-II, to show expenditure on a Scotland-only basis.

Mr. Joel Barnett

Following is the information requested:

ROADS AND TRANSPORT—ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE IN SCOTLAND WITHIN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY
£ million at 1976 Survey Prices
1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–780* 1980–81*
Motorways and trunk roads:
New construction and improvement … … 43 40 31 40 44 46 49 47 53 53
Maintenance … … 9 9 12 7 8 9 9 9 9 9
Total … … 52 49 43 47 52 55 58 56 62 62
Local transport:
Capital:
Roads—new construction and improvement … … 60 70 72 63 53 54 46 39 43 43
Car parks … … 1 2 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2
Public transport investment … … 3 5 4 8 11 19 23 22 24 24
Current:
Roads—maintenance … … 60 57 58 52 59 55 52 49 49 49
Other expenditure … … — 1 1 1 1 1 — — 1 1
Local authority administration … … 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
Passenger transport subsidies:
British Rail … … — — — 4 8 8 8 8 8 8
Bus, underground and ferry services … … 1 3 6 7 12 14 14 14 14 14
Concessionary fares … … 2 4 6 6 12 11 16 17 19 19
Total … … 135 151 160 153 167 173 170 160 169 169
Central government support to transport industries:
Scottish Transport Group … … 1 1 1 1 4 4 4 4 4 4
Ports and shipping:
Ports … … 2 2 4 4 2 6 4 1 — —
Other transport services:
Road and transport administration … … 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
TOTAL ROADS AND TRANSPORT … … 192 205 210 207 227 240 238 223 237 237
* Provisional.

Mr. Ridley

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, contrary to normal practice, Table 5.1 in Command Paper No. 6721-II is at 1975–76 prices, including the relative price effect, rather than at 1976–77 prices; and whether he will publish Table 5.1 expressed at 1976–77 prices including the relative price effect.

Mr. Joel Barnett

No. The use of prices relating to the latest completed year provides a firmer base for the table than the use of prices which in part have to be forecast.

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