§ 28. Mr. Laneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what he estimates will be the percentage increase in resources devoted to the social services in 1972–73 compared with 1969–70.
§ Sir K. JosephFor the health and personal social services, about 13 per cent. in real terms.
The answer on social security benefits depends upon price movements up to September.
§ Mr. LaneDoes not that answer show how hollow is the charge of the Labour Party that my right hon. Friends are cutting the social services? Is not the truth that, while much still remains to be done, the Government have at least made a start in tackling certain urgent problems which were scarcely touched by the Labour Government in all of those six dreary years?
§ Sir K. JosephYes, Sir. It is undeniably true that as well as raising universal benefits we have been able to start filling some of the gaps in the social services.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsWill not the right hon. Gentleman agree that his entire policy depends upon the take-up of means-tested benefits, which, as my hon. Friends have pointed out, follows through a very complicated system of forms? We recently had an indication that he is very unlikely to get the amount of take-up upon which his whole argument is bound to have to depend.
§ Sir K. JosephThat is a wrong conclusion. So far the results of the take-up campaign have been encouraging.