§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will publish in theOfficial Report a detailed list of the persons and organisations with whom he had discussions prior to his announcement of the Government proposed cuts in public expenditure;
(2) with how many representative organisations and persons he discussed the recent Government expenditure cuts; how many such discussions there were; and on how many occasions he discussed these matters with groups of Members of Parliament not in Government.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettI have continuing discussions with a wide variety of organisations and individuals about the whole range of economic policies.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to inform the international financial community that there will be no more cuts in public expenditure.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe decisions my right hon. Friend announced on 22nd July, which set expenditure limits for 1977–78, have been drawn to the attention of our main trading partners and have been generally welcomed. When decisions on planned public expenditure totals for 1978–79 have been taken, they will be announced in the usual way in the regular public expenditure White Paper.
§ Mr. Nottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will estimate for each spending programme, the proportion of the public expenditure cuts announced on 22nd July that are a postponement of expenditure to 1978–79, or later years; 596W and whether there is any other significant consequence of the cuts for 1978–79 or later years.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Nottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will revalue the public expenditure cuts announced on 17th December 1973 to (a) 1976 survey prices and (b) the prices of June 1976.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettApproximate figures at 1976 Survey prices are shown below; figures at June 1976 prices are not available:
£million at 1976 Survey prices Defence 314 Agriculture, fisheries and factory 11 Trade, industry and employment 27 Nationalised industries capital expenditure 425 Roads and transport 391 Other environmental services 268 Law, order and protective services 60 Education and libraries, science and arts 360 Health and personal social services 224 Other public services 8 Consumer services 44 Total 2,132
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in theOfficial Report a list of those measures announced in his statement of 22nd July,Official Report, C. 2010, which will be placed before the House for approval.
§ Mr. Denzil DaviesI shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.