§ 19. Mr. Shepherdasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the percentage of the revenue devoted to social services in 1939 and the percentage so devoted in 1957; and if he will further state the percentage of the national income devoted to social services in 1939 and the percentage so devoted in 1957.
Mr. AmoryI regret that it is not possible to provide figures for 1939 and 1957, but estimates can be given for the calendar year 1938 and the financial year 1956–57. The percentage of central Government revenue devoted to current expenditure on social services was about 34 in 1938 and 37 in 1956–57. Current expenditure by all public authorities on social services was about 10 per cent. of the national income in 1938 and 15 per cent. in 1956–57.