HC Deb 31 October 1944 vol 404 cc628-9
54. Sir Herbert Williams

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the estimates of the post-war revenue and expenditure, on which were based the proposed new expenditure arising in connection with the Education Act and the proposed Social Insurance Scheme.

Sir J. Anderson

No, Sir. As I informed my hon. Friend on the 5th October, it would be premature for me to attempt a statement on the lines of a future normal Budget, and the considerations relevant to what he now suggests are very much the same.

Sir H. Williams

I take it that the statement of the Lord Chancellor was totally inaccurate, that the Cabinet considered these matters before they approved of certain legislation?

Sir J. Anderson

My hon. Friend should not jump to these hasty conclusions.

Sir H. Williams

As the Lord Chancellor stated that in the economy Debate, surely I was not jumping.

Mr. Woodburn

In the event of such a Budget being compiled, will the credit side be taken into account, such as the improvement in health and the elimination of disease?

Sir J. Anderson

We are getting on to very debatable ground.