HC Deb 18 January 1949 vol 460 cc20-1
30. Mr. Osborne

asked the Lord President of the Council what further steps he proposes to take to make the public aware of the crisis in economic affairs, to which reference was made in paragraph 30 of the Memorandum submitted to the O.E.E.C., Command Paper No. 7572.

The Chancellor the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Cripps)

I have been asked to reply. The Government have made known to the public an unprecedented amount of information about our economic affairs. We propose to continue our policy and to maintain the efforts that we are constantly making to increase further its effectiveness.

Mr. Osborne

Why has not the Leader of the House replied to this Question, which was put to him? Only a few months ago he himself said that he was not aware of this crisis, so how could he expect the public to be aware of a crisis which he said did not exist? Why did he not reply to the Question?

Sir S. Cripps

Because I am responsible for the economic information which is given.

Mr. Osborne

Then why did the Lord President accept the Question?

Mr. Bramall

Is not a necessary first step towards carrying out the aim of the hon. Member the taking of a firm stand against the efforts of the Opposition to cut down expenditure on the information services of the Government?