HC Deb 28 November 1966 vol 737 cc4-5
5. Mr. Hamling

asked the Minister of Social Security what proportion of the gross national product is devoted to social security for benefits and payments in the current financial year; and what proposals she will make for increasing this proportion.

Miss Herbison

Expenditure on social security benefits and payments represented about 8 per cent. of the United Kingdom gross national product in 1965–66 and is expected to represent a rather similar proportion in the current financial year. The Government are pledged to ensure to those receiving social security benefits have a fair share in the country's rising living standards, and to this end we are continuing our review of the present arrangements.

Mr. Hamling

I appreciate my right hon. Friend's comment in the last part of her reply, but will she agree that in this country 8 per cent. is an inadequate amount from the gross national product to be devoted to this cause?

Miss Herbison

The percentage has risen over the years and it now stands higher than ever before. Moreover, when one is examining these matters and making comparisons with other countries, one has also to take into account the other services which are provided in this country and may not be provided elsewhere