§ Mr. Meacherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what percentage of gross national product he considers that public expenditure may rise by 1990; on what assumptions his estimate is based; and what implications for the rate of income tax and value added tax are involved.
§ Mr. Brittan[pursuant to his reply,22 October 1982, c. 217-18]: The percentage of gross national product represented by public expenditure in 1990 will depend on developments in public policy over the coming years and on the perfomance of the economy. In general, the higher the percentage the heavier will be the burden of taxation.