§ 2. Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the balance of payments figures every six months instead of quarterly and the trade returns every three months instead of monthly.
§ Mr. DiamondNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Stratton MillsBut are not these monthly returns largely meaningless, creating a lot of disquiet abroad as well as a kind of national hysteria at home? Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider this matter again in the interests of the currency?
§ Mr. DiamondI am grateful to the hon. Member. It is of course unfortunate that some people attach so much importance to very temporary statistics, but it is also the case that these are economic indicators which are of genuine importance to the business world and the academic world.