Social Services (Expenditure)

HC Deb 23 October 1945 vol 414 cc1870-1

67. W. Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual expenditure in 1913 and at the latest available date respectively, on social services.

Mr. Dalton

For 1942 and 1943 I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) on 14th December last. Figures for 1913 are not available, but the comparable figure for 1910 was £62,817,000.

Mr. Jennings

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that a Geddes Committee should be set up at once to cut down some of this expenditure?

Mr. Dalton

No, Sir. It did a great disservice to this country.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not the case that had it not been for the expenditure on social services, the population of this country would have been depleted by now?