§ 3.33 p.m.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Cripps)We have now settled into the custom of dealing with the Economic Survey and the Budget together, and I propose therefore to follow the same pattern as I have followed before, by dealing first with the Economic Survey and the general economic situation before coming to the details of our finances and of my Budget proposals.
We have, I think, achieved in recent years a very large measure of agreement in this country that the Government-whatever its complexion-must accept responsibility for the general economic health of the whole community. That is a revolution in economic thinking and in Government responsibility, a revolution so complete that it is often entirely overlooked. As to the objective of economic health and the responsibility of Parliament, I imagine that there will be no difference in this Committee. Upon the symptoms by which that health may be judged we may not agree; upon the ways of achieving that health there is no doubt that the two sides of the Committee take widely different views.