§ 47. Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a speech by the First Lord of the Admiralty at Blackpool on 4th April, stating that in the opinion of the Economic Advisory Council the present standard of life of the population in this country cannot be maintained, and that either wages must come down or a tariff be applied to the goods that the workers consume; and whether that statement represents the policy of the Cabinet?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe statement referred to was, I am informed, not accurately reported. The interpretation placed upon it by the hon. Member was not the view expressed by my colleague, and the answer to the last part of the question is, therefore, in the negative.
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMWill the right hon. Gentleman arrange in future for the opinions of this council to be made available through other and better channels?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is just why, if this mistake was made, it ought not to have been made.
§ Mr. ALBERYDoes not the question say that it was not the opinion of his colleague, but the opinion of the economic council?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have answered the question.