HC Deb 15 March 1960 vol 619 cc1113-4

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

39. Mr. ROY JENKINS

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will publish earlier information on the continued future investment plans of the nationalised industries.

Mr. Jenkins

May I point out, Mr. Speaker, that "continued" seems to have crept into my Question in an unnecessary and, possibly, misleading way?

Mr. Amory

Following the recommendation of the Radcliffe Committee it is intended to publish information about prospective public investment several months earlier than at present—in the summer of the preceding year instead of in the spring of the year to which the figures relate. This will be done in a White Paper, of which the first will be published this summer.

Mr. Jenkins

Does this mean that in future we shall have the Government's estimates of public investment at least as soon as we now have from the Government the estimates of investment in private industry?

Mr. Amory

I think that is so. I am not sure of the exact dates on which the Board of Trade gives the estimates; I believe that two estimates are issued during the year. The effect will be that during the summer there will be issued the figures of the provisionally-approved expenditure for each nationalised industry for the following year. That is to say, the White Paper which is published this summer will give the figures for the year 1961–62.