HC Deb 06 December 1949 vol 470 c1705
57. Mr. Keeling

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any further statement to make about the saving on the Government revenue account from revising the register of electors once instead of twice a year.

Sir S. Cripps

It is now estimated that the total expenditure falling on the Exchequer, including expenditure on printing, will be reduced by about £650,000 in a full year. A similar saving will accrue to local funds.

Mr. Keeling

Does that answer mean that both the Chancellor and the Prime Minister in their statements to the House in October seriously over-estimated the saving to the Exchequer from this change, and, if so, would the Chancellor say whether any further cut is proposed to fill the gap?

Sir S. Cripps

No, this was not an overestimate. It was an under-estimate of the total savings because there was an equal amount saved to the local authorities.

Mr. Keeling

But is not the Chancellor aware that in this House on the Second Reading of the Bill the Under-Secretary said that the saving would be £400,000, and not £800,000 as had been stated by the Chancellor and the Prime Minister?

Sir S. Cripps

That was unfortunately an error. There was confusion about the figure and the correct figure is the one I have now given.