HC Deb 16 July 1952 vol 503 cc2149-50
45. Mr. Jay

asked the Prime Minister if he will now make a further statement in regard to the policy of Her Majesty's Government to give exports a higher priority than defence.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)

As I informed the House yesterday, the relationship of exports to defence requirements will be dealt with during the forthcoming debate on economic matters.

Mr. Jay

As that answer is far from clear, will the Prime Minister now state whether he agrees with the categorical statement of Lord Swinton last week that exports are more vital today than defence, or whether this is another case of confusion within the Government?

The Prime Minister

As a general rule and guiding principle it may be assumed by the Opposition that complete agreement reigns among the Members of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Shinwell

Does that mean that the defence programme is being cut down, and to what extent, and if it is being cut down ought the House not to be informed?

The Prime Minister

The House is going to be informed of the very serious measures which are being taken in all fields in order to enable us to pay our way and live on our earnings and exports, but of all the suggestions which have been made to be helpful in this matter none has been more far from the truth than the one with which the right hon. Gentleman, with the least excuse in the world, has identified himself.

Mr. Shinwell

That is very interesting. Will the right hon. Gentleman not agree that while obviously the matter of defence expenditure is linked up with economic requirements and exports, it is desirable, if there is to be a reduction in defence expenditure, which may be justified in the circumstances, the House should be informed, entirely apart from the matter of an economic debate. Will the right hon. Gentleman not make a statement on this matter?

The Prime Minister

I should be trespassing on the rules of the House and altogether under-rating the complexity of the statement I should have to make if I attempted to do such a thing at Question time.

Mr. Shinwell

If I put a Question down to the right hon. Gentleman for, say, this day week, will he answer it?

The Prime Minister

If the Question simply asked me to make a full statement about the changes which would have to be made in every branch of our expenditure, I should certainly ask the right hon. Gentleman and the House to wait until the two days' debate which, I understand, is being arranged before we separate.

Mr. Jay

May I take it from the right hon. Gentleman's second reply that he agrees with what Lord Swinton said?

The Prime Minister

I have not the text of what Lord Swinton said before me, but I have no doubt that we are viewing the scene through the same eyes, or through eyes which are harmoniously converging.

Mr. Chetwynd

In view of the very far-reaching effects of this decision upon the organisation of the engineering industry, can the right hon. Gentleman say when steps will be taken to inform that industry of the changes? Can he be more specific about the date of the debate? We ought not to have to wait two or three weeks before we have it.

The Prime Minister

We have not very much time before we are condemned to go on holiday, but we are going to have a two days' debate at which very grave and far-reaching matters affecting every branch of our national life, both domestic and defensive, will have to be brought into a new survey and presentation of our present position.