§ Mr. Carterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated effect of the new economic measures on the social policies of the Government.
§ Sir K. JosephSocial security benefits are not affected. The reduction of £69 million in capital expenditure on health and personal social services in Great Britain during 1974–75 is bound to have a serious effect on the starting date of any new building work. I hope to avoid the need to rephase contracts or to interrupt work in progress.
The reduction of £42 million in procurement is not expected to reduce hospitals' expenditure on food, drugs, dressings and medical and surgical equipment supplied to, or for the use of, patients. But it does apply to other procurement for hospitals and the personal social services. The reductions are not intended to fall on the employment of staff or on the family practitioner services.