§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what target he has set for the annual percentage rise in public expenditure in the financial years 1968–69, 1969–70 and 1970–71 to achieve his target of an average rise of 3 per cent. per annum in public sector spending between 1967–68 and 1970–71 given the 7.8 per cent. increase in the current financial year.
§ Mr. CallaghanAs I indicated on 24th July it now seems that we shall be able to carry out the development of our policies within an average annual rate of increase in public expenditure (excluding the investment of the nationalised industries etc.) of 3 per cent. at constant prices during the period 1967–68 to 1970–71. I am not at present prepared to give242W forecasts of the increases between individual financial years after 1967–68. Forecasts of Supply expenditure in 1968–69 will of course be given in due course in the Vote on Account, 1968–69 and of public expenditure in the Financial Statement, 1968–69.—[Vol. 751, c. 98.]