HC Deb 31 May 1956 vol 553 cc413-4
10. Mr. Jay

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government's appeal for restraint in wage and salary claims applies equally to those with incomes at all levels.

Sir E. Boyle

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Jay

Is the Economic Secretary aware that last Friday at West Hartlepool the Minister of State for Colonial Affairs said that the strongest possible support would be given by the Government to arrest any wage increases unless they were coupled with increased productivity, and that at the same time the Chancellor would do his best to increase the incentives of those who earned salaries in what is called the Surtax range? Will the hon. Gentleman tell us whether it is the policy of the Government that there should be a wage freeze for one section of the community and increased incentives for another?

Sir E. Boyle

I really cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's next Budget statement next year. I should have thought that a surplus of £460 million would be austere enough for anyone.

Mr. Jay

Can the hon. Gentleman at least tell us whether junior Ministers come into that part of the community which is to have a freeze or in the part which is to have incentives?

Sir E. Boyle

It would be indelicate for me to answer that question.

Captain Pilkington

Has not the Government repeatedly made it clear that we must have restraint all round, and is it not very unfortunate that hon. Members opposite should try to make these continual party points?

Mr. H. Wilson

In view of the very grave position devcloping in sterling this week, will the hon. Gentleman say why he is so confident that the Chancellor's next Budget statement will not be until next year? Secondly, will he say why it is that the Chancellor, in the muchvaunted Newcastle speech to which the hon. Gentleman has referred so often this afternoon, has given the impression to the country that the Government have shuffled off all responsibility for any of these questions, and are putting the matter into the hands of the unions, and indeed only one side of industry?

Sir E. Boyle

That is certainly not the impression that the country got from my right hon. Friend's Newcastle speech, and the right hon. Gentleman knows that quite well.