HC Deb 07 July 1966 vol 731 cc639-40
1. Mr. Biffen

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he will publish the revised National Plan; and if he will imediately revise and publish an amended Chapter 6 on Prices and Incomes.

The First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. George Brown)

The review of progress under the National Plan which is now in train is expected to be published before the end of the year. The answer to the second part of the Question is, No, Sir.

Mr. Biffen

Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm that when the National Plan is revised and republished it will include a revised figure of the expected gross national product for 1970? As to the second part of my Question, would not the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable that an instant revision should take place of Chapter 6 on Prices and Incomes so that we can have that before us when we discuss the prices legislation?

Mr. Brown

On the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I have other Questions on the subject to answer later on. On the second part, I have already answered, No, Sir.

25. Mr. Marten

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will publish a progress report on the National Plan on the completion of each year.

Mr. Albu

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Dickens) on Thursday, 30th June.

Mr. Marten

If the autumnal review which we are to have reveals, for example, that part of the plan is unattainable, will the plan itself be altered?

Mr. Albu

We shall, of course, reconsider the plan, but not this year. Next year we will probably reconsider the whole of the plan but, as my right hon. Friend said, we intend to make a review of the progress of the plan as far as it has gone.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Why cannot the Minister and his right hon. Friend be honest—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—and admit that the National Plan, like the incomes policy, has just become one more discredited piece of camouflage to mask the fact that the Government are totally unable to manage the economy?

Mr. Albu

Judging from the discussions that take place in the N.E.D.C., that does not appear to be the view of industry.