HC Deb 10 October 1939 vol 352 cc159-61
45. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Prime Minister which member of the War Cabinet is responsible for the co-ordination of the nation's economic activities?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon)

I would refer the hon. Member to the full statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made yesterday in reply to questions on this subject.

Mr. Shinwell

As the right hon. Gentleman is, so we understand, responsible for the co-ordination of our economic activities, may I ask him one or two supplementary questions? Will he state what is his conception of his functions in this regard, and whether Lord Stamp, who is the Chief Economic Adviser, is to devote himself exclusively to the work of this Department, whether he is to have a staff entirely independent of any assistance the Treasury may give him, and whether he can say why certain economists who rendered very good service to the Government in the last war, for example, Mr. Keynes, and the Junior Burgess the Member for Oxford University (Sir A. Salter) have not been employed?

Sir J. Simon

I think that the House will feel that these supplementary questions would be better put upon the Paper.

Mr. Shinwell

As the right hon. Gentleman has now been appointed to this very important post, may I ask him a very plain question? Can he state to the House what is his conception of his functions in this connection?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member cannot expect the right hon. Gentleman to answer that in reply to a supplementary question.

Mr. Shinwell

I think it is in order.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member should put it on the Order Paper.

Mr. Shinwell

In view of the fact that Lord Stamp has been appointed, am I not entitled to ask the right hon. Gentleman, who knows all about this matter, whether Lord Stamp is to devote himself exclusively to the work of this Department?

Mr. Speaker

That matter was dealt with yesterday by the Prime Minister.

Mr. Shinwell

On a point of Order. The Prime Minister merely stated that Lord Stamp was to be appointed as Chief Economic Adviser of the Government, but he was not clear on the point on which I have asked this supplementary question?

Sir J. Simon

I would appeal to the hon. Member and to the general feeling of the House, that if these important questions are to be put, they should be put upon the Order Paper and not as supplementary questions.

Mr. Attlee

Surely, the right hon. Gentleman does not require notice of the questions whether his Chief Economic Adviser is to be a full-time assistant, or whether he will continue the very numerous functions which Lord Stamp already carries out?

Sir J. Simon

As Mr. Speaker has already observed, that matter was touched upon yesterday. If a question of that important character is to be put, I submit that it ought to be put on the Order Paper.

Mr. Dalton

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the lack of confidence which the appointment to this post created yesterday has not been removed by his failure to answer questions to-day?

Mr. Speaker

I am afraid that I am responsible for what has taken place. I ought not to have allowed these supplementary. The question on the Paper only asks which Member of the War Cabinet is responsible.