INFLATION (MINISTER'S SPEECH)

HC Deb 17 December 1970 vol 808 cc1561-2

Q7. Mr. Barnett

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at Kinross on 20th November referring to inflation represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Maudling

I have been asked to reply.

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Barnett

Recalling the Home Secretary's attempt to deal with these problems and his brave but unsuccessful attempt to rid himself of the albatross of the £800 million deficit he bequeathed, has he never thought of suggesting to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that one way of dealing with them might be the method which he tried and which was so rudely interrupted in October, 1964, by the General Election?

Mr. Maudling

I do not think the interruption was rude, although I think it was a pity. Whether or not my attempts were brave, the fact that they were unsuccessful rests on the Government which took over in 1964.