HC Deb 30 April 1957 vol 569 cc5-6
9. Mr. Stevens

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total estimated expenditure on the social services in the year 1957–58 by the Exchequer, from the National Insurance Fund and by the local authorities, respectively; and what were the corresponding figures for the year 1951–52.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I regret that comprehensive figures for 1957–58 are not yet available. I will, with permission, circulate what figures there are in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Stevens

Can my right hon. Friend say whether or not the figures when available will show such increase compared with the preceding year that the charge that the Tories have slashed the social services will be completely rebutted?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Since I have been at the Treasury I have noticed no flagging of expenditure.

Mr. H. Wilson

When the right hon. Gentleman circulates those figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT will he present them in a way which shows that expenditure in terms of constant 1951–52 prices so that he does not take credit for the effects of Tory inflation?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I should also be taking credit for certain prudent economy —if I follow the right hon. Gentleman's advice—which I now adopt.

Mr. Nabarro

A very sour supplementary.

Following are the figures:

TOTAL CURRENT AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SERVICES IN UNITED KINGDOM
— £ million
1951–52 1956–57 (estimated)
1. Central Government 1,179.2 1,587.9
2. National Insurance Funds 484.6 756.9
3. Local authorities 846.6 1,149.2
4. Total, consolidated 2,115.4 2,916.9

Central Government expenditure in 1957–58 is expected to be about £60 million more than in 1956–57.

Notes to Table

1. The figures of expenditure on lines 1 to 3 include grants by one public authority to another (e.g. by the central Government to local authorities). The figures on line 4 are the consolidated total expenditure by all public authorities, from which duplication has been eliminated.

2. The figures follow the definitions used in the table of expenditure on the social services, published each year in the May issue of the Monthly Digest of Statistics. Detailed figures for 1956–57 and earlier years will appear in the May, 1957 issue.