§ 25. Mr. Pavittasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total cutback in public and private expenditure planned in accordance with Budget statements and other statements by Her Majesty's Government since 1st January, 1968; and what percentage of this sum is represented by the income estimated to accrue in a full year from prescription charges.
§ Mr. DiamondOn public expenditure, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16th January, 1968, and as regards private spending to the statements by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 19th March, 1968 and 22nd November, 1968, and by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 1st November, 1968. As regards income from prescription charges I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer by the Minister of State for Social Services to the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Dr. John Dunwoody) on 4th November—[Vol. 756, c. 1577–93. Vol. 761, c. 251–302. Vol. 773, c. 1790–7. Vol. 772, c. 345. Vol. 772, c. 459.]
§ Mr. PavittDoes the very low percentage revealed by all those Answers include the £7 million increase in the Civil Estimates for 1969–70 in respect of pharmaceutical services and other hidden charges? Is it not time that the Treasury yielded to the demands of 95 per cent. of hon. Members on the back benches on this side of the House for the removal of prescription charges?
§ Mr. DiamondNo, Sir. My hon. Friend is wrong if he thinks that the estimates which have been given and which have been proved so far to be fairly accurate do not take all these matters fully into account.