§ Mr. Thorneycroftasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make available, in advance of the Second Reading of the Finance Bill, estimates of the levels which the Government's spending on the principal items of current account are likely to reach during the next few years on the basis of existing policies and prices.
Mr. AmoryThe studies currently in progress on the subject of control and management of Government expenditure will cover the question of the use of longer-term appraisals of the likely course of that expenditure. Until these studies are completed I think I must keep an open mind on the practicability of seeking to assist Parliamentary consideration of these matters by the provision of such figures as my right hon. Friend has in mind. I fear that in any case I should not find it practicable to do so before proceedings take place on the Finance Bill.