§ 54. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the national expenditure is about double the national revenue; and whether, in view of the disastrous consequences which must follow, he will lake immediate steps to reduce drastically expenditure in every Government Department?
§ 55. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that our mi-ports are more than double our exports, that we have now become a debtor nation, and that America and Japan, by reason of cheaper production, are cutting us out in markets in which we were once supreme; and will he state what steps are being taken by the Government to arrest this disastrous state of affairs and to revert to our pre-war prosperity?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI have been asked to reply. I am very fully aware of the relative values of our imports and exports also of the keen competition which our traders have to face in foreign markets. The first step to meet the difficulties of the situation, namely, to increase production, must be taken by the people of the country themselves and not by the Government.
§ Mr. HOUSTONWill the right hon. Gentleman take effective measures to-bring home to everyone in this country the grave warning given by His Majesty at the Guildhall yesterday, as to the vital necessity for the utmost economy and strenuous work on the part of everyone?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe announcement made by His Majesty has received full publicity, and we have every hope that it will carry conviction to some who have not reached that stage before.