§ 52. Sir ASSHETON POWNALLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can say what is the substantial contribution members of the Cabinet propose making to the cause of economy?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENThe answer is in the negative.
§ Sir A. POWNALLCan the right hon. Gentleman give the reason for the delay, and say whether it is because each member of the Cabinet thinks that his own salary ought to stand and that of others ought to be reduced?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI do not know whether I ought to answer a question which has not been put in very courteous terms.
§ 54. Mr. HANNONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will be in a position to reply to the communication he has received from a number of leading men in finance, industry and commerce calling his attention to the need of rigid economy in public finance, and to indicate the policy of the Government on the measures they propose to adopt in the limitation of State and local expenditure?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI am not clear precisely to what communication the hon. Member refers. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that as the result of a Resolution of this House, a committee was set up to consider the whole question of national economy, and that the report of that committee is about to be published.
§ Mr. HANNONDid not the right hon. Gentleman receive a communication a few days ago from an influential body of financiers and industrialists in the City, submitting to him certain proposals in relation to public economy?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI am not aware of it.