Spend, spend, spend
Sir: The excellent articles by Simon Heifer and Christopher Fildes on Mr Lamont's lat- est Budget do a fine demolition job on the Chancellor's work ('Getting out of it', 20 March). There is one matter, however, to Which they give insufficient attention, namely the future spending plans of the Government. Between 1991/92 and 1997/98, spending is scheduled to rise from £236 billion to £342 billion, an increase of 45 per cent. Are there no controls on this expenditure, much of it unproductive?
It may be salutary to remember that just 35 years ago the entire Treasury Bench resigned over a mere £50 million budget deficit. We are faced next year with bor- rowings of £50 billion. It would be interest- ing to have the comments of Lord Thorney- croft and Mr Enoch Powell, two of the pro- tagonists of that earlier episode.
Thomas Gnffin
7 Lowndes Place, London SW1
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