§ 57. Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the national wealth, per head of the population, in 1913, 1938 and at the latest convenient date.
§ Sir J. AndersonAssuming that my hon. Friend is referring to national capital assets, no official estimates are available.
§ Sir W. SmithersDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that any figures he might be able to give would not express the real value of the national wealth per head owing to the depreciation in the purchasing power of the pound sterling; and will he take all steps he can to stop inflation?
§ Sir J. AndersonThere seem to be several points embedded in that question. I can only try to deal with the last one, the answer to which is in the affirmative.
Dr. Russell ThomasDoes not the Chancellor agree that most of the national wealth, as Mr. Gladstone said, should be allowed to fructify in the pockets of the people?