HC Deb 24 April 1967 vol 745 cc1141-3
32. Mr. Dean

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will publish revised figures for social service expenditure, in the light of Her Majesty's Government's new estimate of economic growth.

33. Mr. Blaker

asked the Minister of Social Security what is her estimate of the total funds which will be devoted to social security benefits in 1969–70, calculated at 1965 prices, if the economy grows at a rate of 3 per cent. per annum between now and then.

48. Mr. Worsley

asked the Minister of Social Security what reduction in the provision of social services she expects, following the reduced rate of economic growth now anticipated by Her Majesty's Government.

Miss Herbison

I would refer the hon. Members to the passage in the Budget Statement in which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer outlined the action which the Government are taking in respect of long-term public expenditure programmes.

Mr. Dean

Why is the Minister so shy about giving us revised figures in the light of the new and smaller expectation for economic growth? Is it not now the case that there will be very little money available for real increases in benefits between now and 1970?

Miss Herbison

I am not at all shy on these matters, and if the hon. Gentleman had listened to last Thursday's debate he would have found that that was so. What I have said—and I stress it again—is that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has made it clear that the pattern of long-term expenditure programmes is now being reviewed to decide the order of priorities. He made that very clear in his Budget statement. When that review is complete I shall have no hesitation in giving information to the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Blaker

Will the Minister confirm that what she has just said means that when the review is complete she will give revised figures? She will recall that there were some specific figures in the National Plan, issued only 18 months ago, which are obviously now no longer applicable. The country will want to have something more precise in due course than what the right hon. Lady has now said.

Miss Herbison

I should expect that hon. Members and the country will want me to give revised figures if that is at all possible. All that I ask is that the hon. Gentleman awaits the result of the review. But I would add that in 1967–68 we shall be spending £500 million more on social security benefits alone, and I think that the people in the country prefer deeds and action to any speeches.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Nevertheless, will not that review inevitably show that, if our full social service programme is to be carried out, something else will have to be cut? Therefore, will the Minister urge my right hon. Friend who has responsibility for this in the Cabinet to press for this within the Cabinet and take up the cudgels on behalf of the social services?

Miss Herbison

I do not think that there is any doubt that those of us who are responsible for the social services are very good at taking up the cudgels.

Mr. Webster

How many recipients of unemployment benefit are expected for next winter out of the £500 million additional expenditure for next year?

Miss Herbison

If the hon. Member cares to put down that Question I should be very pleased to answer it. He should look at Thursday's debate to make comparisons of unemployment benefits.