HC Deb 15 February 1979 vol 962 cc636-7W
Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicate, in index number form, the relationship between 1977–78 prices and 1978 survey prices as used in the public expenditure White Paper, Cmnd. 7439, 1978–79 prices as embodied in the 1978 financial statement and budget report and accompanying tax tables, the average retail price level for calendar 1978, and 1979 survey prices.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revalue, at 1978 survey prices, tables 1 and 12 of the public expenditure White Paper, Cmnd. 7439.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish estimates of the ratios of public expenditure to gross domestic product consistent with table 3 of the public expenditure White Paper, Cmnd. 7439, for the years 1979–80 to 1982–83 implied by the growth assumptions for gross domestic product of cases A to C described in the White Paper.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish estimates of the ratios of public expenditure to gross domestic product consistent with table 3 of Cmnd. 7439 for the years 1979–80 to 1982–83 assuming gross domestic product growth from 1977 to 1983 (a) at 0.4 per cent. per annum as recorded for 1973 to 1977 in table 6 of Command 7439 and (b) at 1 per cent. per annum.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revalue table 7 of Cmnd. 7439 to 1978–79 outturn prices; if he is still content with the estimates included in that table; and, if not, approximately what revision he would wish to make to it.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will clarify what is meant by the term "satisfactory balance of payments" in paragraph 32 of Command 7439; and, in particular, whether and on what scale it is assumed that (a) the current account and its components, namely, non-oil trade, oil trade and invisibles, are in deficit or surplus and (b) whether the capital account is assumed to be in deficit or surplus.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revalue table 5.13 of Cmnd. 7439 at 1978–79 prices.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish estimates of the public sector deficit consistent with table 7 of Cmnd. 7439, in £ billion for 1977–78 and 1978–79 and as a percentage of gross domestic product.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of recent pay settlements, he will now announce a revision of the public expenditure plans set out in Cmnd 7439; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I have nothing at present to add to what my right hon. Friend told the House in the debate on 25 January.