§ Mr. Dorrellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, on the assumption of a 10 per cent. inflation rate, a public expenditure outturn for 1982–83 of less than £117 billion would represent a deflation of aggregate demand if other economic factors were neutral.
§ Mr. BrittanPublic expenditure plans for 1982–83 cannot be considered in isolation from the overall stance of fiscal and monetary policy and hence from the announcements my right hon. and learned Friend will be making on 9 March.
The provisional public expenditure planning total of £115 billion for 1982–83 announced on 2 December provided room for a level of public expenditure in real terms which would be broadly similar to the level planned for this year, provided that costs are contained within reasonable bounds.