HC Deb 21 October 1952 vol 505 cc846-8
22. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange to publish in abbreviated form in HANSARD, or in other convenient form, the evidence submitted to the Ridley Committee on national policy for the use of fuel and power resources, by the Board of Inland Revenue, and referred to on page 236 of the Committee's Report, Command Paper No. 8647, in view of the publication of the evidence submitted by both the Federation of British Industries and the Trades Union Congress.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The evidence referred to was a memorandum dealing with a specific question raised by a member of the Ridley Committee and was of quite a different character from the evidence on fuel policy submitted by the Federation of British Industries and the Trades Union Congress. I do not think the memorandum is of sufficient general interest to call for publication.

Mr. Nabarro

In view of the fundamental importance of a fiscal reform in connection with these fuel efficiency matters, would my right hon. Friend consider placing the memorandum to which he has referred in the Library of the House before our debate next Wednesday in order that all hon. Members may be informed on the particular points made by the Board of Inland Revenue?

Mr. Butler

I will certainly look into that possibility.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Since the Ridley Committee estimated that industry might be able to save as much as 12 million tons of coal, which would make an immense difference to our balance of payments, and since their main proposal to that end was a financial inducement to industry, does the right hon. Gentleman not consider it desirable that the evidence of the Board of Inland Revenue should be available to Parliament?

Mr. Butler

This was not general evidence by the Board of Inland Revenue but was in reply to a specific question by a member of the Committee, so that it really has not quite the importance which my hon. Friend imagines. Nevertheless, I will certainly see whether we can tear the mystery from this document.

Mr. Noel-Baker

May I press the Chancellor? Did not the Board of Inland Revenue give evidence on the financial inducement to which I have referred?

Mr. Butler

The Board of Inland Revenue gave certain evidence, but that is not referred to in this Question.

23. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking in connection with fiscal and financial proposals made by the Ridley Committee on national policy for the use of fuel and power resources, Command Paper No. 8647.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I am examining these proposals together with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power.

Mr. Nabarro

In view of the imminence of the debate next Wednesday on this very important subject, and the fact that in past debates we have had only representatives of the Ministry of Fuel and Power on the Front Bench, would it be possible for a representative of the Treasury to listen particularly to debates which affect these financial and fiscal proposals?

Mr. Butler

The Treasury is both farseeing and well informed, and if I can take the opportunity, as a Member of the Treasury, to be even better informed about this matter, I will certainly pay attention to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Mr. Stokes

Does the Chancellor's answer mean that he intends to give some encouragement in the industrial field to the saving of fuel?

Mr. Butler

This matter might have come up on the Finance Act had some proposal which was in order been moved. It is a matter of great interest to me, but there are difficulties which I cannot detail in answer to a Question. If the right hon. Gentleman would care to put down a Question or have a conversation with me, I will tell him some of the problems.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Does the Chancellor remember that just before the Recess we had a debate in this House on a Friday afternoon, when there was complete unanimity about the seriousness of this situation? Will the Chancellor give an undertaking that between now and next week's debate he will consult the responsible Ministers with a view to taking some concrete action?

Mr. Butler

I will certainly pay attention to the hon. Member's point of view. It is clear that by this way of saving we can help to ease the very serious fuel problem and eventually our exports, so obviously it is a matter of first importance.