§ Mr. Formanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the proportion of total public spending and the actual amount spent in each of the last five years on (a) defence, (b) social security and related statutory benefits, (c) discretionary public spending by (i) the central Government and (ii) local authorities and (d) capital projects and fixed investment of all kinds in the public sector, including the nationalised industries.
§ Mr. BrittanThe following is taken from the Government's Expenditure Plans 1981–82 to 1983–84 (Cmnd 8175), tables 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.12, 2.17 and 3.2. Amounts quoted are in £ millions at 1980 survey prices with relevant percentages of the public expenditure planning total. For defence and social security the information is as follows:
Defence Social security benefits (including administration) £ million per cent. £ million per cent. 1976–77 9,287 11.7 16,730 21.1 1977–78 9,082 12.2 17,605 23.7 1978–79 9,026 11.6 19,214 24.6 1979–80 9,294 11.9 19,691 25.3 1980–81 (estimate) 9,746 12.3 20,390 25.7 Full details of discretionary payments as distinct from those made under statute are not held centrally. Of the planning total, expenditure by central government and local authorities is as follows:
Central government (excluding adjustments)* Local authority (excluding adjustments)* £ million per cent. £ million per cent. 1976–77 52,837 66.7 22,896 28.9 1977–78 50,994 68.6 21,541 29.0 1978–79 54,737 70.2 21,426 27.6 1979–80 56,109 72.1 21,762 28.0 1980–81 (estimated) 58,435 73.7 20,250 25.6 * These adjustments, included in the planning total are: nationalised industries net overseas and market borrowing, special sales of assets and the contingency reserve. Fixed investment and capital projects included in the planning total are as follows:
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£ million per cent. 1976–77 9,583 12.1 1977–78 7,816 10.5 1978–79 6,964 8.9 1979–80 6,425 8.3 1980–81 (estimated) 5,392 6.8 Expenditure on fixed assets in the United Kingdom by nationalised industries, which is excluded from the planning total, has been as follows in each of the last five years:
£ million 1976–77 5,176 1977–78 4,654 1978–79 4,664 1979–80 4,715 1980–81 4,538
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if figures are available which would show whether and to what extent public spending in Wales and Scotland is subsidised by the remainder of the United Kingdom; and, if so, whether he will publish those figures.
§ Mr. BrittanI regret that the information is not available. Following changes in accounting procedures, it is no longer possible to attribute direct taxes paid between different parts of the United Kingdom.