§ 42. Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has studied the details which have been sent to him of a statement by Mr. J. B. Steadman, President of the British Footwear Manufacturers' Federation, on 23rd February calling attention to the increase in the price of coal and other commodities and the need for increased production without increasing costs; what action he is taking to meet these difficulties; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudlingMy right hon. Friend has seen the statement referred to, but 192 he does not wish to anticipate his Budget Statement.
§ Sir W. SmithersWill my hon. Friend impress upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer the necessity, when he is preparing his Budget, of facing the facts, telling the people of the country the facts and the truth, and acting on expert advice and not on theoretical bureaucratic policy?
§ Mr. MaudlingI will certainly convey those views to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. GaitskellIn view of the fact that these recent increases in prices are largely due to increases in wages caused by higher food prices, in turn caused by the cut in food subsidies, will the hon. Gentleman, in order to reassure his hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers), give an undertaking that there will be no further cut in food subsidies in this year's Budget?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not know to what increases in prices the right hon. Gentleman is referring. In fact the present cost-of-living index, as he knows, has been stable now for a longer period than ever before in its history.