§ 3. Mr. Martenasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how much of the increased social expenditure since October, 1964, has been financed out of the expansion of British industry.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. Harold Lever)Expenditure on social services and housing by the public sector increased between 1964–65 and 1966–67 by £1,306 million at current prices, of which £718 million was expenditure on goods and services. The increase in the gross domestic product at factor cost at current prices during the same period was in the neighbourhood of £3,000 million.
§ Mr. MartenCan the hon. Gentleman say what is the estimated increase for the next year and whether this will also come out of the growth rate forecast by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Mr. LeverNo, Sir, I cannot give a precise forecast of this kind, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that, as the Chancellor said in his Budget statement, he is keeping his eye on public expenditure programmes so that they are kept reasonably in line with our growth prospects.