HC Deb 23 April 1968 vol 763 c30
3. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Secretary of State for the Home Department on devaluation at Blackpool on 23rd March represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Did not the Home Secretary on that occasion liken devaluation to jumping off a cliff? Since the Lord President has said that it was a giant stride towards Socialism, is it not about time that the Prime Minister told us which it was—or are the two methods of progress synonymous?

The Prime Minister

There are other Questions, which I have already answered, about the speech of my right hon. Friend in Birmingham in January. What my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said in his speech at Blackpool was what the difficulties were following devaluation, and then said that it was something we had to do in the end but not something that anyone would enjoy doing, any more than jumping off a cliff. I agree with what he said.