39. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the House some assurance that it is the continued intention of the Government to keep money cheap by various methods and, at the same time, what safeguards are to he employed to prevent speculation?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Lieut.-Colonel Colville)I would refer my hon. Friend, as regards the first part of the question, to the reply which I gave him on 12th April last, and, as regards the second part of the question, to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on 6th May.
Mr. De la BareIs it not possible to have some information on this all-important subject at a fairly early date; and does not the House think it would be better if more Members took an interest in what was going on in the country?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvillePerhaps my hon. Friend will look at the answer to which I refer, and if it does not satisfy him I hope that he will not hesitate to put down another question.
40. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can 22 assure the House that the Government have safeguards to prevent a sudden and uncontrolled rise in money rates; and what steps are being taken to maintain a free money market and provide a constant check to uncontrolled rises in money rates?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleMy right hon. Friend does not share my hon. Friend's fears as to the possibility of a sudden and uncontrolled rise in money rates, and he has no reason to suppose that the situation is such as to need any exceptional precautions at the present time.
Mr. De la BareMay I ask the Minister whether he will bear in mind that I will return to the charge?