§ Mr. William Sheltonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the gross national product of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was spent by central and local government for each year over the last 10 years; and what percentage of total Government spending would need to be cut in 1980 to return to the same percentage as that which appertained in 1970.
§ Mr. Biffen[pursuant to his reply, 29 February 1980]: The percentage of the gross national product of Great Britain and Northern Ireland spent by central and local government in each of the last 10 years and in the first three quarters of 1979 is shown in the table below:
spirits industries in granting facilities for deferment of excise duty payments.
§ Mr. Peter ReesI cannot anticipate my right hon. and learned Friend's Budget Statement.