HC Deb 22 February 1966 vol 725 c232
Q7. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on economic affairs at Hull on 24th January, 1966, represents Government policy.

Mr. George Brown

I have been asked to reply.

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Mills

Did not the speech of the Chancellor admit that from the spring onwards prices would rise "much more slowly," in his own words? Is not this an admission that the Chancellor expects the floodgate of prices in the interim period to explode?

Mr. Brown

I should have thought exactly the contrary. My right hon. Friend said that there was a real chance that they would go more slowly this year than last year. That is quite different from the point the hon. Gentleman makes.

Mr. Lubbock

Does the First Secretary realise that his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer spoke of my speech in Hull referring to the possibility of the F.111 being purchased, as the greatest non-issue of the election? What has he to say about that now?

Mr. Brown

As the election turned out, as far as he was concerned, it was.