§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will increase the planned expenditure levels for personal social services in 1983–84.
§ Mr. NewtonThe figures for personal social services in the public expenditure White Paper are indicative. It is for authorities to make their own choices between services within the limits of their statutory obligations. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has announced that the provision for local authority current expenditure in 1983–84 has been fixed at a level of £900 million more than currently provided in the public expenditure White Paper, in recognition of the fact that local government still needs more time to bring its spending into line with Government plans. Revised indicative figures for individual services will be announced in due course.