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 Government Expenditure – 23 January 1989

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Government Expenditure on 23rd January 1989.


Mr. David Evans To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outlook for general Government expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic profit.

Mr. Major My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s autumn statement to the House on 1 November 1988 set out the Government’s plans for public spending. It noted that general Government expenditure (excluding privatisation proceeds) in 1988–89 is expected to be below 40 per cent. of GDP for the first time in over 20 years; and that over the next three years it is expected to fall further.