The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

Chief Secretary (1987-1989)

Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Public Expenditure – 9 July 1987

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Public Expenditure on 9th July 1987.


Mr. Ralph Howell Asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of general Government expenditure as a proportion of gross domestic product.

Mr. Couchman Asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of general Government expenditure as a proportion of gross domestic product.

Mr. Major General government expenditure represented just under 43 per cent. of gross domestic product in 1986-87.

Mr. Rowe Asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of central Government expenditure as a proportion of gross domestic product.

Mr. Major The normal measure for assessing trends in public spending is general government expenditure as a percentage of GDP. The latest estimate for that in 1986-87 is 43 per cent. The figure for central Government expenditure is 32 per cent.