§ Mr. Carlisleasked the Prime Minister (1) how many investment programmes in the public sector are being deferred so as to reduce the over-all demand on resources in this field by £150 million in 1967–68; and what is the estimated cost of each individual project which is being deferred;
(2) how is the saving of a total amount of £55 million in investment by central and local government in the financial year 1967–68 to be achieved;
(3) which desirable projects in the field of public investment are to be deferred.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Prime Minister (1) if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the recent deferment measures which will reduce public sector investment by £150 million in 1967–68;
(2) if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT an analysis of the proposed reduction of public industry investment of £95 million for 1967–68 showing the totals for each nationalised industry.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Prime Minister if he will specify the cuts which he expects each nationalised industry to make in its investment programme for 1967–68.
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§ Mr. DiamondI have been asked to reply.
The reductions of public investment included in the total of £150 million announced by the Prime Minister on 20th July are as follows:
Central and Local Government Local Government, offices, recreational facilities etc. England and Wales 28 Scotland 2 Roads (England; Wales; Scotland) 14 Covent Garden Market 5 Local authority health and welfare services 3 Public building and works 1½ Home Departments' services 11½ Total 55 Nationalised Industries etc. National Coal Board 10 Gas Council 10 Electricity (England and Wales. Scotland) 24 Post Office 13 B.O.A.C., B.E.A., British Airports Authority 10 British Railways Board 10 London Transport Board 2 Docks (British Transport Docks Board and non-nationalised) 10 Atomic Energy Authority 2 Total (including other minor adjustments) 95
§ Mr. Carlisleasked the Prime Minister what is the estimated total amount of reduction in demand in the current financial year as a result of deferment measures taken by the Government on investment programmes in the public sector.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Prime Minister what is the estimated reduction in demand for the current year arising from the recent deferment measures in public sector investment.
§ Mr. John Smithasked the Prime Minister (1) how much spending he estimates be avoided in the next six months by reducing public industry investment;
(2) by how much he estimates demand in the current year will be reduced by the deferment of public investment.
§ Mr. DiamondI have been asked to reply.
As my right hon. Friend said in his statement on 20th July, the reduction in 203W demands on resources by the public sector in 1967–68 by £150 million will also reduce demand in the current year.
The effect upon demand in 1966–67 will be assessed on completion of current consultations upon the best means of securing the reductions decided upon for 1967–68 in such a way as to avoid any delay in major essential projects.