HC Deb 14 November 1988 vol 140 c528W
Mr. Ralph Howell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was total Government expenditure for 1960, 1970, 1979, 1984 and 1988; and what percentage of the gross domestic product it represents for each of those years.

Mr. Major

The available information is given in the table. Corresponding figures for years before 1963–64 are not readily available on a consistent basis.

General government expenditure1 (£ billion) Percentage of GDP
1963–64 11.3 36¼
1970–71 21.6 40¾
1979–80 90.3 43½
1984–85 152.8 46¼
1988–89 186.9 39¾
1 Excluding privatisation proceeds.

Note: The full series is set out in table 1.1 of the 1988 autumn statement.