§ 40. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Health if, in view of the rises in expenditure and consequent rise in rates per £ of local authorities, he will do all in his power to restrict his demands on local authorities which arise from demands and obligations laid down by statute.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithIn the local authority field, my right hon. Friend is directly concerned mainly with local health authorities. He has constantly in mind the need for every economy consistent with the maintenance of a proper standard of service to the public.
§ Sir W. SmithersMay I ask the hon. Lady if she is aware that Britain is the one country in the world which is not and cannot become self-supporting, that we must export goods and services at competitive world prices or starve, and 554 that increases in national and local government expenditure must increase our cost of production, and that our first social service must be food? What is the good of——
§ Mr. SpeakerThese considerations seem to be more of a general character than a Departmental matter for the Minister.
§ Sir W. SmithersMay I finish my question, Mr. Speaker? May I ask what is the good of having doctors and nurses and patients in hospitals if they have nothing to eat?