§ Sir H. Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can furnish an approximate estimate of the cost, in a normal post-war year, of the new permanent legislation passed since 3rd September, 1939, of a character not connected with the war; if he can also furnish a similar estimate in respect of Bills now before Parliament, on the assumption that they become law in their present form.
§ Sir J. Anderson, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 13th March, 1945, Volume 409, C. 27–8], supplied the following statement:
The following table shows, as far as possible, the estimated cost to the Exchequer of new permanent legislation passed since 3rd September, 1939, of a character not connected with the war (i.e., with the conduct of the war) and of Bills now before Parliament. Except where otherwise indicated the estimates are those made when the relevant legislation was introduced.
1399W
Act or Bill. Subject. Estimated Cost. Old Age and Widows' Pensions Act, 1940. Determination of Needs Act, 1941. Contributory Pensions (beginning in 1946). £4,000,000 p.a. (rising to £7,000,000). National Health Insurance, Contributory Pensions and Workmen's Compensation Act, 1941. Health Insurance Benefits (Exchequer contribution). £1,750,000 p.a. Supplementary Pensions £61,920,000 (1945 Estimate). Pensions and Determination of Needs Act, 1943. Unemployment Insurance Act, 1940. Unemployment Insurance (Cost to Exchequer). £4,000,000 p.a. Unemployment Insurance (Increase of Benefit Act, 1944. *Education Act, 1944 Education £7,750,000 p.a. (rising to £58,000,000 p.a. Minister of Town and Country Planning Act, 1943. Town and Country Planning £434,000 (1945 Estimate). Town and Country Planning Act, 1944. Town and Country Planning (Clearance of war-damaged £50,000,000 in two-year period—thereafter diminishing. Catering Wages Act, 1943 Regulation of wages, etc., of the catering trade. £30,000 p.a. Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Act, 1944. Appointment of additional Judges. £25,000 p.a. (if powers fully used). Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1944. Agricultural Advisory Service £1,000,000 p.a. (rising to £1,500,000 p.a.). Agricultural Credits £120,000 p.a. for 15–20 years, plus advances not exceeding £2,150,000 in aggregate. Supply of water to agricultural land, etc. £10,000 p.a. Food and Drugs (Milk and Dairies) Act, 1944. Milk and Dairy Regulation £175,000 p.a. Ministry of National Insurance Act, 1944. National Insurance Administrative expenses only. No precise estimate can be given. Family Allowances Bill Family Allowances £59,000,000 p.a. (ultimately £61,500,000 p.a.). Teachers (Superannuation) Bill. Teachers, etc. Pensions £4,000 p.a. (rising to £58,000 p.a.) and equivalent of capital sum of £550.000. Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Bill. Town and Country Planning (clearance of war-damaged areas). Not exceeding £100,000 in aggregate. Wages Councils Bill Regulation of wages Not exceeding £50,000 p.a. Water Bill Water Supplies Administrative expenses only. No precise estimate can be given. Distribution of Industry Bill Distribution of Industry No estimate can be given. * The figures shown include the cost in Scotland although education in the latter country is the subject of separate legislation. The Education (Scotland) Fund receives statutory grants varying automatically with the expenditure of the Ministry of Education. While my hon. Friend confines his Question to permanent legislation it should be noted that the following Acts (or
Act or Bill. Estimated Cost. Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1940, and Colonial Development and Welfare Bill now in progress. £120,000,000 in aggregate, over 10 years from 1946. Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944 £21,375,000 in aggregate, over 5 to 10 years. Herring Industry Act, 1944 £2,770,000 in aggregate, over 5 years. Agriculture (Artificial Insemination) Bill £250,000 in aggregate, over 5 years. Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act, 1944 No estimate of net cost to the Exchequer can yet be given. No estimate is yet possible of the annual expenditure which will be involved in
1400WBills), though not permanent in character, involve expenditure over various periods of years.
the Government's post-war housing programme.