HC Deb 27 June 1950 vol 476 cc2101-2
63. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the headline on the front page of issue No. 19 of the "Bulletin for Industry" issued by the Economic Information Unit of the Treasury was approved by him; and whether it is his policy to insert controversial matter in this publication.

Sir S. Cripps

The headline had my approval, and I can see nothing controversial in it. Care is always taken to ensure that this publication is factual and non-controversial in character.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that both the headline and the matter to which it refers, draw a comparison between the success and failure of the different industries, and that the material therein contained does terrible damage to the nationalised industries?

Sir S. Cripps

It may or may not be the case, but that does not seem to me to show that the headline is a controversial matter in the sense in which the hon. Gentleman mentioned.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman's answer mean that he now makes no attempt to defend nationalisation.

Sir S. Cripps

It means nothing of the kind. I believe it is wise to set out, factually, information about the industries concerned.