asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate percentage of total current expenditure by central Government, local government and the nationalised industries which is accounted for by wages and salaries.

In 1974 wages and salaries—including forces' pay and national insurance contributions, superannuation, etc.—accounted for 20 per cent. of the total current expenditure of central Government and 55 per cent. of total current expenditure of local authorities. Public corporations' wages and salaries in the same period represented about 40 per cent. of their revenue account expenditure, excluding depreciation.