HC Deb 13 November 1956 vol 560 cc736-7
27. Mr. Rankin

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to make a statement detailing the further economies he proposes in order to cut down Government expenditure by £100 million.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I cannot yet name a date.

Mr. Rankin

In view of the fact that the Prime Minister has squandered most of the Chancellor's present savings by his blunders in Egypt—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—would the Chancellor and the Leader of the House not get together and see if between them they could not find some person better fitted to be the first Minister of the Crown?

Mr. Macmillan

I am sorry to hear the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. When he put down the Question, I thought he was trying to be helpful.

Mr. Rankin

So the Question is.

Mr. Macmillan

Now I observe he is merely trying to make a speech which he could have made at any time during the past six days.

Mr. H. Wilson

In an entirely helpful attitude—like yesterday—ought I ask the Chancellor whether he still thinks that he will succeed in recording a figure for Government expenditure in this financial year which will be £100 million less than the Estimates as presented last spring?

Mr. Macmillan

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will recall what I said, and have said throughout, I was trying to do. Taking the Estimates as they stood, not taking account of Supplementary Estimates on the one side or underspendings on the other, I hope to be able to achieve this figure.