HC Deb 16 April 1996 vol 275 cc370-1W
Mr. Walden

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of Government spending was spent in the years 1988 and 1995 on(a) defence, (b) education and (c) mortgage tax relief. [24015]

Mr. Waldegrave

[holding answer 1 April 1996]: Figures for public expenditure on defence, education and mortgage tax relief expressed as a percentage of general Government expenditure are as follows:

1988–89 Outturn Per cent. 1995–96 Estimated outturn Per cent.
Defence 10.7 7.0
Education 12.3 11.9
Mortgage tax relief paid to non-taxpayers 0.1 0.1

Total mortgage tax relief amounted to £5.4 billion in 1988–89 and –2.7 billion in 1995–96, of which £260 million in 1988–89 and £180 million in 1995–96 paid to non-taxpayers is classified as public expenditure.