HC Deb 30 July 1981 vol 9 c500W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide information on the percentage contribution made to the gross national product at factor cost in each EEC country by taxation and social security contributions.

Mr. Peter Rees

The latest available estimates of taxes and social security contributions as a percentage of the gross national product at factor cost for the member countries of the European Community are given in the following table:

1978 Percentage
Belgium 47.4
Denmark N. A.
France 43.6
German Federal Republic 44.6
Greece *30.8
Irish Republic *39.7
Italy 36.2
Luxembourg *41.8
Netherlands 52.3
United Kingdom 39.1
* Figures relate to 1977.

Further details are given in an article on international comparisons of taxes and social security contributions published in the December 1980 edition of Economic Trends.