HC Deb 15 April 1969 vol 781 cc958-9
4. Mr. David Howell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the public expenditure reductions announced on 16th January, 1968, for the financial year 1968–69 have now all been carried out.

Mr. Diamond

As my right hon. Friend made clear to the House in his statement of 20th February, public expenditure in 1968–69 is within the target laid down in Cmnd. 3515.—[Vol. 778, c. 779–81.]

Mr. Howell

With respect, does that really answer the Question? Has not the right hon. Gentleman noticed, for instance, that investment grants are now £100 million above the sum set out in the agonising cuts of 16th January last year, and that the saving on civil defence, which was supposed to be £20 million next year, will turn out to be £5 million? Do not all these examples make it clear that the whole agonising cut operation—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—was cynical and misleading, and utterly inadequate to what the nation then demanded?

Mr. Speaker

Order. Questions must be reasonably brief.

Mr. Diamond

I shall answer what I was able to hear of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. I am aware that investment grants have increased, as a result of an unexpected increase in investment, which we welcome. I am well aware of them, because I put a special figure to the House about them. The total figure is what the hon. Gentleman is interested in, and that has gone up by less than the estimated figure given in Cmnd. 3515.