§ Mr. Adleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the net change in total Government expenditure as between 1979–80 and the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. MacGregorBetween 1979–80 and 1985–86 the public expenditure planning total has increased by £57 billion in cash terms. As a proportion of GDP, public spending increased from 43½ per cent. in 1979–80 to 46 per cent. in 1982–83, but has been falling since then, to 44½ per cent. in the current year and it is projected to fall further, to 41 per cent. in 1988–89.