HC Deb 06 November 1975 vol 899 cc305-6W
Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will itemise any increased expenditure in 1974–75 over 1973–74 and any anticipated

£ million at 1974 Survey prices
Services 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76
Overseas Information 16.8 16.3 17.6
Court services, &c. 47.8 48.9 52.3
Legal aid 10.0 11.9 12.5
Prisons 99.6 102.1 114.5
Probation and After-Care 27.9 31.4 34.8
Police 510.0 522.5 537.8
Fire 124.5 129.7 133.9
Other protective services 8.5 8.4 9.0
Civil Defence 5.6 6.0 6.0
Community services 20.0 22.4 27.3
Central and miscellaneous services 6.2 6.5 6.8
Records Registrations and Surveys 4.9 6.2 6.2
Broadcasting (Capital) 22.0 16.5 18.9
Other services −4.4* 1.3 1.2
Totals 899.4 930.1 978.8
* This figure reflects receipts from the disposal of the assets of the Carlisle State Management Scheme.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by his Department for 1974–75 and 1973–74; and what is the anticipated expenditure for 1975–76.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Total public expenditure on Home Office services at current prices amounted in 1973–74 to £855.1 million, and for 1974–75 the provisional outturn is £1,090.4 million. Estimated expenditure in 1975–76 is £1,258.6 million.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in studying his Department's estimates with a view to making economies.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

My Department's programmes to 1979–80 are being reviewed as part of the Government's current public expenditure survey, the conclusions of which will be published in a public expenditure White Paper in the normal way.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the expenditure in the Department's increase in expenditure for 1975–76 over 1974–75.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Details of the Home Department's expenditure are included in Tables 2.2, 2.9 and 2.13 of the White Paper on Public Expenditure to 1978–79 (Cmnd. 5879). The following table shows the share of that expenditure on Home Office services, at constant 1974 prices.

car pool in 1973–74 and 1974–75; and what is the anticipated expenditure in 1975–76.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The majority of Home Office vehicles fulfil specific functions, or are assigned to particular parts of the Department, for example, immigration offices and other outstations. Excluding these, the Department's central pool of seven vehicles cost £11,955 in 1973–74 and £15,807 in 1974–75 and £15,390—estimated—in 1975–76.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will transfer an official from his present duties in the Department with a view to seeking out possible areas where economies can be made in the Department's spending and for formulating plans for implementing economies.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I am not persuaded that a special appointment is necessary. Senior Home Office officials are fully aware of the need for economy. The central management services of the Department, the staff inspectors and other specialists are available to assist in the way the right hon. Gentleman suggests.