§ 49. Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he can now estimate the number of people who will become unemployed as a consequence of the proposed cuts in public spending.
§ Mr. BoothThe cuts in public spend-announced in the Budget statement apply to the financial year 1976–77. By that time I expect that their effects will have been offset by the Government's measures against inflation. which should have raised 445W business confidence, stimulated plans for investment and strengthened British competitiveness and so, with the anticipated recovery in world trade, have brought about an improvement in employment prospects.