HC Deb 18 April 1950 vol 474 c38

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.