§ Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is contemplating the setting up of machinery with power to divert the savings of the people to finance immediate post-war essentials, such as new housing and clearing off the four years' arrears of repairs and maintenance of property generally;
(2) how the 4,000,000 houses which are required to be built within 10 years of the end of the war and which will cost, approximately, £3,000,000,000, are to be financed, in view of the fact that the people's savings in peace-time have been estimated at £300,000,000, when the annual national income did not exceed £5,300,000,000?
§ Sir J. AndersonI cannot at present forecast what measures may be required after the war to ensure due provision, including any necessary priorities, for essential works of reconstruction and development in regard either to finance or to physical resources. My hon. Friend may, however, rest assured that these matters are being carefully studied.
1084Wof money devoted to purely social purposes in each of the Budgets since the war?
§ Sir J. AndersonOpinions may vary as to what constitutes a purely social purpose, but I append a statement showing the provision made in Civil Estimates for certain groups of services in each of the years 1940-1943.
Following is the Statement: