HC Deb 22 October 1991 vol 196 cc498-9W
Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the level of financial support for the farming industry alongside that for other major industries.

Mr. Mellor

It is not possible to give a fine industrial breakdown because many support schemes are available to a wide range of industries. The table shows direct financial support to the private sector by broad industrial group.

Industry Government financial support (£ million) Contribution of industry to GDP (£ million) Government support as a percentage of GDP contribution
Energy and water 196 24,334 0.8
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 1,718 7,102 24.2
Mining, manufacturing and construction 582 143,080 0.4
Transport and communication 1,087 34,031 3.2

Source: Tables 2.1 and 9.4 of UK National Accounts 1991

Note: The table gives the 1990–91 estimated outturn for general Government expenditure by function. The expenditure includes subsidies and capital grants to the private sector, but excludes other elements of support such as the provision of subsidised Government services and trade and tariff protection.