HC Deb 03 July 1956 vol 555 cc1152-3
44. Mr. Hannan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the total savings effected following the issue of his economy circular in February of this year.

Mr. J. N. Browne

The effects of the circular will inevitably take a Title time to show themselves, and any comparisons must be treated with reserve owing to the incidence of expenditure on large projects. Borrowing consents issued by my Department to local authorities in respect of all services except housing and roads during the first six months of this year amounted to £11,150,000, which I estimate is a reduction of about £1,500,000 on the corresponding figure for the first half of 1955.

Mr. Hannan

Can the hon. Gentleman say how much of the figure he mentioned will fall upon education, and since his hon. Friend referred earlier to starts which had fallen through, and now we are to have more starts, are there not more fits than starts under the present Government?

Mr. Browne

I should require notice of the hon. Member's question.