§ 45. Mr. MANDERasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider introducing legislation which will permit, in the event of war, the immediate conscription of wealth, with a view to ensuring that no one shall benefit financially by the nation's necessities?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)No, Sir.
§ Mr. MANDERIn view of the fact that at the end of the last War certain individuals were £4,000,000,000 better off as a result of it, is it not worth considering whether this might not be prevented in future?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is difficult to deal with a question like this by question and answer. I can assure the hon. Member that to attain the object which he has in mind, or which I assume he has in mind, I am quite as keen as he can be. I have no doubt if war broke out that the Government, or whatever Government were in power, guided by the light of the experience of the last War, would take whatever steps they thought 1055 proper to prevent, throughout the whole community, profiteering as in the last War. Whether the means which he suggests here would give effect to that I do not know. I do not believe, myself, that this is practicable, and when he asked me whether I am going to legislate in this direction, for that reason, I said "No."
§ Mr. EVERARDDoes my right hon. Friend not think that members of the Council of the League of Nations Union would be better advised to put questions on matters affecting the peace of the world rather than war?