HC Deb 10 March 1988 vol 129 c314W
60. Mr. Watts

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much general Government expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product has fallen since 1982–83.

85. Mr. Soames

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much general Government expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product has fallen since 1982–83.

Mr. Major

The 1988 public expenditure White Paper (Cm. 288) showed that general Government expenditure (excluding privatisation proceeds) as a percentage of gross domestic product has fallen from 46¼ per cent. in 1982–83 to 42½ per cent. in 1987–88.

79. Mr. Beith

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the objective of his policy of reducing public expenditure annually as a proportion of gross domestic product.

Mr. Major

Our policy of reducing public spending as a proportion of GDP over the medium term, which does not imply particular targets for individual years, will enable a low level of borrowing to be combined with reductions in the burden of taxation, thus encouraging enterprise and efficiency and the growth of output and employment.

Forward to