§ Mr. Deanasked the Minister of Health (1) what is the difference between the original forecast of expenditure by local authorities on health and welfare services for 1967–68 and 1968–69, and the amount accepted as relevant expenditure for rates support grant;
(2) what estimate he has made of the slowing down of the expansion of the local authority health and welfare services which will result from local authority estimates for 1967–68 and 1968–69 being reduced for grant purposes.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe differences were approximately £11 million and £12.4 million for the two years respectively. They represent the extent to which, in the Government's view, local authorities were over-estimating the speed at which the services could be developed. Actual expenditure will depend on decisions of 127W local authorities, but if the pattern corresponds with the figures given in Appendix A of House of Commons Paper No. 252, expenditure on local health services will rise, at constant prices, to about 12½ per cent. and 19½ per cent. above the 1965–66 level in 1967–68 and 1968–69 respectively and on local welfare services to about 18 per cent. and 28½ per cent. above that level.