§ 46. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister to what extent the statement made by the Minister of Labour at London Airport on 8th December, on the Russian economic challenge, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour's statement was in accord with the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. HughesCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement made by the Minister of Labour, as reported in the Financial Times, is true, in which it is stated:
The free world had to accept the Russian economic challenge, particularly in undeveloped areas, and that we had to succeed in this or the struggle with the Communist world might be in vain.If that is the policy of Her Majesty's Government, can the right hon. Gentleman say how are we meeting the economic challenge of Russia in Egypt, who is going to build the Aswan Dam, and have we not lost a lot of valuable markets in the Middle East because the Government are not meeting the Communist challenge?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir. Thanks to the Government's economic policy, there is more opportunity for expenditure abroad than there has been for a very long time. It is in this way that we shall have to meet the Communist challenge overseas.