§ 44. Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage cuts she expects to be making in the social services over the next 12 months.
§ Mrs. CastleNone. No reductions are planned in my Department's programmes for the current financial year. The forecast in Cmnd. 5879 for the health and personal social services programme in 1976–77, as adjusted following the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer last April, is at about the same level as for the current year.
§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the increase in total departmental expenditure since the financial year 1973–74.
§ Mr. MeacherI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the cost of employing and accommodating staff at the headquarters, central, regional and local offices of my Department. The cost in 1973–74 was £206.8 million. The amount so far provided for 1975–76 is £349.2 million.