§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the real change in total public expenditure for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 consequential on the higher gross domestic product deflators announced in the Budget. [12477]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 27 October 1997]: In the July Budget, the projections for General Government Expenditure were increased in cash terms by £0.4 billion in 1997–98 and by £4.1 billion in 1998–99 compared with the figures published in the November 1996 Budget. An additional £1.2 billion was provided for Health and £1 billion for Education in 1998–99. Forecasts for the GDP deflator were also increased. In 1995–96 prices, the July projections for General Government Expenditure were lower than those in the November 1996 Budget by £2.6 billion in 1997–98 and £1.5 billion in 1998–99.