Government Expenditure
Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance

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Photo of Mr Hugh Jenkins

Mr Hugh Jenkins (Wandsworth Putney)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the main forms of Government expenditure per head of the population of the United Kingdom per week; and how the amounts have changed in recent years.

Photo of Mr Patrick Jenkin

Mr Patrick Jenkin (Wanstead and Woodford)

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate these in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Photo of Mr Hugh Jenkins

Mr Hugh Jenkins (Wandsworth Putney)

Does the hon. Gentleman recall the small posters which used to be issued by successive Governments giving, on the one hand, the sources of the national income and, on the other hand, the sources and means of expenditure of the national income? Will he draw up a poster relating to 1970 and 1973 and consider issuing such posters in future, so that large numbers of people who are not accustomed to reading complicated balance sheets can gain some grasp of these problems?

Photo of Mr Patrick Jenkin

Mr Patrick Jenkin (Wanstead and Woodford)

I shall consider that helpful suggestion. I am sure that people would be very eager to recognise

WEEKLY PUBLIC EXPENDITURE PER HEAD IN COST TERMS
pence at estimated 1972–73 prices*
1969–701970–711971–72 provisional1972–73 estimate
Defence Budget………98102104103
Other Military defence………4222
Overseas aid………8889
EEC and other external relations………5557
Agriculture, fisheries and forestry………17161821
Research Councils etc.………4455
Trade, industry and employment:………
Investment grants………26241813
Other………27273048
Nationalised industries capital expenditure……61676063
Roads………30343236
Surface transport………98810
Housing………49494551
Miscellaneous local services………34374044
Law and Order………24262831
Arts………1111
Education and libraries………108114120126
Health and personal social services………889598104
Social security………167164170179
Financial administration………11101115
Common services………891011
Miscellaneous services………3444
Total (excluding debt interest)………782806820885
Source: Cmnd. 5178, Table 2A, with adjustments; Registrar's General, mid-year population estimates.
* Including relative price effect.
 
 
 

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