HC Deb 08 July 1952 vol 503 c1090
45. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Prime Minister what changes will be made in the re-armament programme and expenditure on defence arising from the new policy of absolute priority for the balance of payments problem.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)

There will no doubt be an opportunity before the House rises for an exchange of views on the economic situation, including the aspects to which the hon. Member refers.

Mr. Chetwynd

In view of the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week that exports must now come first and foremost, does not this imply a change in the re-armament programme by a diversion of engineering products from armaments to exports?

The Prime Minister

I think that point is covered by my answer.

Mr. Gaitskell

Would the Prime Minister not agree that all experience shows how unwise it is to speak of absolute priorities or overriding priorities, and that it is far better to deal with these difficult problems of balance through an allocation system such as we had in the war?

The Prime Minister

Those are issues of a very general character about which variants of opinion may well be tolerated.