§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the amount by which he plans to reduce expenditure for 1974–75 and in the balance of the current year as a result of the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17th December, indicating the main areas where such reductions will take place; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. CarrExpenditure on Home Office services next year will be reduced by £18 million on capital programmes and £10 million on the procurement of goods and services other than staff. The main effect will be to reduce considerably new building for the courts, police, prisons and fire services. The saving which will be made in the remainder of 1973–74 as a consequence of action to reduce expenditure next year will depend to a large extent upon the precise way in which the 1974–75 reductions are arranged. I cannot at present give a figure for the reduction in spending this year which will arise on this account.