§ 35. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Health on what basis it has been estimated that the total local expenditure from all sources will show a 16 reduction of as much as £20,000,000, as compared with the figure for the year 1929–30?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe estimate to which my hon. Friend refers was that total local expenditure showed a reduction of £20 millions over the figure for the year 1929–30. This figure was, as my right hon. Friend was advised, the approximate reduction in local expenditure on the figure of 1929–30 which the Ray Committee estimated would be secured as a result of the economy measures taken in the autumn of 1931.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs it not the case that the estimate of the Ray report related to a reduction below the figures for a subsequent year, and that as a matter of fact these economies merely bring the expenditure back to that of 1929–30 and not to £20,000,000 below that sum?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI require notice of that question.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSThe question has been asked. May I not press for an answer?.