§ 36. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on Government policy regarding capital and other expenditure on the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodHospital building programmes for 1956–57 and 1957–58 have been announced in this House. Ordinary expenditure is covered by the estimates approved by Parliament. None of these has been altered.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWhilst welcoming the announcement that the new schemes of building are to go forward as previously announced, does the Minister realise that the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that he himself has issued a circular to local authorities calling for further economies must arouse suspicion about the actual revenue programme for 1955–56 and 1956–57? Will the Minister, therefore, give some guarantee to this House that there will be no decline in present expenditure but, in fact, increases where necessary in that actual revenue expenditure?
§ Mr. MacleodI do not think that anyone who heard the statements I made in answer to Question No. 5 has any further excuse for misrepresenting the position.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopHow does the right hon. Gentleman answer the statement made by his right hon. Friend that public authorities are being asked to co-operate in restraining both current and capital expenditure, and that the Minister of Health is communicating with hospital boards in this sense?
§ Mr. MacleodBecause if my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer had merely answered the first part of the question without referring to the circular which I have issued, and of which I am putting copies in the Library, he would, no doubt, have been accused of being an addict of the easy half-truth by one or other of the unicorns who are fighting for the crown.