The Big Lie
Sut,—Mr. Boswell, in his defence of the present Government's economic policies, speaks approvingly of 'the vigorous curtailmeot of public expenditure plans, desperately needed after the Conservative spending spree in 1964.' Now I believe the use of the expression 'spending spree' for state and local govern- ment expenditure was first used by Mr. Wilson in justification of the 'second budget' in the autumn of 1965.
I think that Mr. Boswell might reasonably be asked to explain, where Mr. Wilson declined to do so, why there was not only no criticism of this 'spending spree' in Labour's 1964 election manifesto, but in fact the manifesto promised even further expenditure on the lines since denounced as a 'spending spree.' May I quote: The Labour government would therefore end the present parsimony in the supply of public funds for outdoo- recreation; develop the national parks . . . set up a Sports council to supply in consultation with Local Authorities and voluntary bodies the physical equipment, coaching facilities and playing fields . . . grants for youth centres, swimming pools, coffee bars and other facilities ... much more generous sup- port to the Arts Council, the theatre, orchestras, concert halls. museums and art galleries, encour- age and support independent film makers both for cinema and television .. cut down our over- crowded classes, replace inadequate maintenance grants with reorganised family allowances . . . massive expansion in higher, further and univer- sity education
—and so on with education, home help, health, etc. (My italics.)
Would Mr. Boswell explain the somersault from 'end the present parsimony' to 'after the spending spree' in a matter of a year? Or would he care, even, to define. this spending spree? ALFRED SHERMAN 201 Raleigh House, Dolphin Square, London, SW I
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