§ I want to say a word about private investment. It would not be in accordance with the Government's policy to try to control directly investment in the private sector. But I look to all those who provide or control the finance for capital expansion by private enterprise to bear well in mind the spirit of the decisions which the Government have 220 taken for their own part, and the requests which the Government have made to local authorities, to other public boards and to the nationalised industries. I know that the banks and the Capital Issues Committee took note of my statement on 25th July and have applied it in their scrutiny of applications. I take this opportunity to underline, with fresh emphasis, what I then said, and to make it clear that there can be no question, for the time being, of the authorities relaxing their critical attitude. To the extent that those concerned with investment programmes are willing to enforce a stricter order of priority in giving effect to their projects and to move rather more slowly for the time being in implementing their projects, they will be contributing directly to the stability of our economy and thus ultimately to their own prosperity.