§ 45. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that the Civil and Revenue Estimates, other than the Post Office, for 1935–36, exclusive of the provisions that will be required for the Special Areas Fund, the Beet Sugar Subsidy, and the Cattle Fund, for which over £8,500,000 was provided in the present year, show an increase of £11,500,000 over the last Budget Estimate, he is prepared to arrange for a discussion on public expenditure to take place before the introduction of the Budget?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)In the present state of public business, I am afraid I can hold out no hope that special facilities will be granted as suggested my my hon. Friend. I would, however, remind him of the opportunities that will occur in the normal course of Supply business and on the Consolidated Fund Bill.
§ 71. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that the provision he will need to make in the Budget in respect of the Civil Estimates will be 1574 substantially higher than in any year since the Budget of 1921, he is prepared to appoint a committee to consider the possibilities of effecting economy in the public services?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Duff Cooper)With relatively few and unimportant exceptions, the increases in the 1935 Civil Estimates are due either to automatic causes, as in the case of old age pensions and widows', orphans' and old age contributory pensions, or to definite Government policy which has received the specific approval of the present Parliament, as in the case of the increased provision required for unemployment assistance allowances, for housing grants, for the tramp shipping subsidy, and for the full year operation of the restoration of cuts in accordance with the Budget statement of April last. In these circumstances, while expenditure is continually subjected to a close and persistent scrutiny in order that all practicable economies may be secured, my right hon. Friend does not consider that any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of a committee such as my hon. Friend suggests.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSHaving regard to the fact that the increase in expenditure four years ago was due to legislative action and that that increased expenditure utterly destroyed the Government responsible for it, would it not be well to take steps before it is too late?
§ 72. Mr. WILLIAMSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can furnish an approximate estimate of the aggregate of the Supplementary Estimates which will be required, owing to the fact that the Civil Estimates do not include the sums that will be necessary for the Special Areas Fund, the Beet Sugar Subsidy, and the Cattle Fund?
§ Mr. COOPERI am afraid that I cannot anticipate the Budget statement.