HC Deb 04 March 1969 vol 779 cc205-7
26. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average net flow of capital and interest to the United Kingdom over the last five years; and what was the amount for 1968.

Sir G. Nabarro

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Would it be in order to adjourn the House while the Chancellor of the Exchequer collects his wits?

Mr. Speaker

That would not be in order. He must collect them.

Mr. Sheldon

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It would seem from the figures given in answer to No. 25 that that should have been the answer to No. 26. It may be that we have not received the answer to No. 25.

Sir D. Walker-Smith

On a further point of order, Mr. Speaker. Would the Chancellor of the Exchequer be good enough to occupy the interval by answering a Question which is of considerable public interest and importance and which seems unlikely to be reached orally, namely, No. 67, which asks the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what authority——

Mr. Speaker

Order. The number will do for this point of order.

Mr. Harold Lever

I must apologise to the House for the delay, which is due to some confusion on my part.

The information asked for will be found in the appropriate Government publications.

Mr. Ridsdale

Assuming that that Answer is to my Question, do not the figures show that there has been a large net increase of capital investment in this country and that, far from restricting private investment abroad, the Government should look to restricting their own overseas expenditure?

Mr. Lever

It is not that we restrict investment abroad. We merely, at different times and in different areas of the world, seek to encourage that investment to take place in a manner most helpful to our reserves.

Mr. Iain Macleod

To which appropriate Government publication is the Financial Secretary referring?

Mr. Lever

I think that the right hon. Gentleman will find the most informative are the Bank of England Bulletin and Economic Trends.

Sir A. V. Harvey

On a point of order. Referring to my previous point of order, would it be opportune now for Question No. 66 to be answered?

Mr. Speaker

That question was asked in another form earlier.

Mr. Biffen

On a point of order. I think that the hon. Gentleman will find, upon studying HANSARD tomorrow, that he did in fact answer Question No. 6 on the basis that it was a net flow of capital interest from the United Kingdom, not to the United Kingdom. Ought he not to have a chance to——

Mr. Speaker

Order. We must move on.