§ 55. Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to encourage the demand for consumable goods so that the majority of the 1,400,000 unemployed may find remunerative employment, and, as a result, increase the national income so that the maximum number of the public will have funds available to subscribe for national savings certificates and bonds?
§ Captain CrookshankThe demand for goods of a vast number of types has been swollen by war expenditure. It is highly desirable that those productive resources of the country which are not required or not yet required for war purposes should be fully employed in supplying consumers' needs, but the dislocation arising from the transition from peace to war requires some little time to cure.
§ Mr. Craven-EllisMay I ask whether the question of export trade has not been considered in this connection and also the question of the consumable goods required abroad; and is it realised that we 447 want to export these goods in order that it may help us to pay for the war and that we want to have more men employed?