§ 29. Sir R. Boothbyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will set up an economic general staff.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI observed in the Budget speech that as one grows older one gets a little shy about these high-sounding nomenclatures. Nevertheless, the general idea is sound enough.
§ Sir R. BoothbyDoes my right hon. Friend consider that it would be a good general idea if Sir Roger Makins had an adequate staff at his disposal, because he cannot do the whole of this business by himself?
§ Mr. MacmillanYes, Sir; we shall, of course, try to make any changes and improvements in the staffing which are required.
Mr. H. WilsonDoes the Chancellor's Answer mean that his reference to this matter in the Budget statement was just one more of those airy generalisations which when examined turns out to mean nothing? Will the right hon. Gentleman also turn his mind to this point: in view of the widespread feeling in the country that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not taking any real grip on the situation but is busy passing the buck to somebody else, will he recognise that what we need is not an economic general staff, but action by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Mr. MacmillanThose questions are both more in the nature of imputation than questions. All I can say is that I reject both of them.