§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the reduction in real general Government expenditure in 1997–98 and 1998–99 consequential on the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" projected increase in the gross domestic product deflator. [8140]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 11 July 1997]: In the last Budget, general Government expenditure increased in 343W cash terms by £0.4 billion in 1997–98 and by £4.1 billion in 1998–99 compared with the projections in the 1996 Budget. In 1995–96 prices, using the latest GDP deflator forecasts, there was a real reduction of £2.6 billion in 1997–98 and £1.5 billion in 1998–99.