§ 24. Mr. Ridleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the gross domestic product for 1965, and what it would have been if it had increased during 1965 by the same percentage as the average annual increase of the previous six years.
§ Mr. MacDermotEstimates of the gross domestic product for the year 1965 will not be available until late in March.
§ Mr. RidleyIs the hon. and learned Gentleman concealing these figures for political purposes? Is he aware that they will almost certainly show much less growth than in the past? Does he remember his party fighting the election on the pledge that the cost of Socialism could be met out of increased growth? Is he now prepared to admit that the cost of Socialism is not only greater but results in less growth?
§ Mr. MacDermotIt is impossible to conceal figures which are not available. I would remind the hon. Member that, under the previous Administration, pre-election booms, like that of 1964, were followed by several years of stagnation. When the figures are available, the hon. Member will see that, so far from stagnation, there has been continuing growth.