§ 27. Mr. Tom Boardmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what capital projects in health and welfare have been deferred as a result of 28 the reduction in the planned rate of growth in local authority expenditure announced in January last year.
§ Mr. CrossmanI would refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to the hon. Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne) on 27th January.—[Vol. 766 c. 923–4.]
§ Mr. BoardmanIf there was, as the Prime Minister announced in January 1968, a cut in planned growth, how is it that the right hon. Gentleman cannot identify the cuts made in that plan?
§ Mr. CrossmanThis has been explained by the Minister of State. We leave it largely to the discretion of local authorities to choose the areas. I cannot give precise information about exactly what they have decided to defer and what not, but if the hon. Gentleman will put down another Question in a few weeks, I will give a little more information.
§ Lord BalnielSurely this information should be made available to the House, because now, in addition to the cuts mentioned in the Question, there is a cut in the rate of growth of the rate support grant, which has been halved for next year. These are very important figures and should be made available.
§ Mr. CrossmanNone of these is a cut. These are a slowing-down in the rate of growth and I will try to provide more information.