§ Sir Anthony Meyerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the gross domestic product per head at factor cost, cited if possible in pounds sterling, in each of the European Community countries, Japan, the United States of America, Canada and Australia for the most recent year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Ian StewartBy convention, international comparisons of gross domestic product per head are given at market prices expressed in terms of United States dollars. Conversion to United States $ is made in two ways: (i) by using market exchange rates, and (ii) by using purchasing power parities. The latter reflect the relative purchasing powers of national currencies in terms of the goods and services available. Figures on both bases for 1981 are given in "OECD National Accounts Volume 1 Main Aggregates 1952–1981", pages 86 and 98, for all countries requested, with the exception of figures for Australia and Canada on the latter basis. A copy is in the Library. Provisional estimates of gross domestic product per head for 1982, converted to United States $ on the basis of exchange rates, are as follows:18W (a) the standard rate of value added tax, (b) excise per gallon in pounds sterling for beer, wine and spirits and (c) excise for 1,000 in pounds sterling for cigarettes.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe latest information available converted to sterling at rates applicable on 3 January is as follows:
Gross Domestic Product at Current Market Prices, Per Capita United States $
Belgium 8,421 Denmark 10,998 France 9,945 Germany (F.R.) 10,700 Greece 3,830 Ireland 5,024 Italy 6,088 Luxembourg 9,563 Netherlands 9,588 United Kingdom 8,413 Australia 10,416 Canada 11,813 Japan 8,968 United States 13.037 Source: Derived from OECD Main Economic Indicators, November 1983.