HC Deb 27 March 1956 vol 550 cc1957-8
30. Mr. Jay

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it remains the aim of the Government to achieve a £300 million a year surplus on the United Kingdom's balance of payments.

Mr. H. Macmillan

Yes, Sir. It remains our aim to achieve a substantial surplus of this order so that we may, over the years, meet our varying obligations.

Mr. Jay

Now that the Government have disowned responsibility for either maintaining full employment or stimulating the export trade, can we at least be assured that they recognise some responsibility for the balance of payments?

Mr. Macmillan

The right hon. Gentleman, by his usual method of innuendo, has made a false deduction from a false premise.