§ 47. Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Prime Minister if he will consider laying a White Paper before this House again debates the economic situation, setting out the principal changes which it is intended shall follow from the recently announced policy of putting exports before defence requirements and, in particular, the estimated effect of this change of policy on home supplies.
§ The Prime MinisterI am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) for postponing till tomorrow the similar Question which he had put down yesterday. I hope he will allow me to answer both Questions together.
It is not proposed to lay a White Paper. The relationship of exports to defence requirements will be dealt with together with other aspects of the economic situation during the debate on economic matters which will, I hope, take place before the House rises.
§ Mr. FernyhoughIn view of the fundamental change in policy which the statement of the noble Lord in another place last week indicated, does the Prime Minister not think that this House ought to have been simultaneously informed? Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that many of us welcome this return to economic sanity whereby economic solvency is put before military schemes?
§ The Prime MinisterIt seems to me that the hon. Member has very little to complain of.