asked the Minister for Social Welfare the expenditure on social welfare in 1983 and 1984; and if he will express this expenditure as a percentage of the gross national product for each year.

The total social welfare expenditure in 1983 was £1,900 million and £2,114 million in 1984. Social Welfare expenditure expressed as a percentage of gross national product is estimated at 14.3 per cent in 1983 and 14.6 per cent in 1984. The estimates of expenditure and gross national product on which these percentages are based are, however, subject to revision.