§ 47. Mr. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what special steps he has taken with both sides of industry subsequent to 20th October, 1949, to reduce production costs; what response he has received to his appeal; and what further steps he proposes to take to prevent widespread unemployment.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Cripps)No special steps have been taken on this particular point, but the Government's general policy on increasing production with restraint on profits and wages has been developed on several occasions, in particular in my Budget speech, to which I would refer the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. OsborneIf no special steps have been taken by the Government, when can the nation expect the arrival of the demoralising unemployment which the Chancellor prophesied in the House on 20th October? Could I have an answer to that?