Government Expenditure (Hansard, 12 February 1953)

§ 43. Sir W. Smithers
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of his undertaking to do everything possible to maintain and improve the capacity of British industry, he will, in order to revive initiative, consider, when framing his Budget proposals, the reduction of Government expenditure, which will enable him to reduce Income Tax by 2s. in the £

§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter
I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion. I cannot, of course, anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

§ Sir W. Smithers
Is my hon. Friend aware that penal taxation and the comprehensive Welfare State are killing initiative and ruining character? Is he also aware that the comprehensive Welfare State, instead of proving to be a lifebuoy, is proving to be a millstone round the neck of the country?

§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter
Those are large issues which cannot be profitably discussed by way of question and answer

§ Mr. Jay
Does the hon. Gentleman think that the Government's recent cuts in the grant for adult education is a good example of the policy of indiscriminate economy?

§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter
I do not think that that arises out of this Question.