§ Q5. Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech in New York on the state of the United Kingdom economy to the Foundation of Automation and Employment on 27th January.
§ The Prime MinisterI did so, Sir, on 27th January.
§ Mr. DavidsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the fact that now Britain has achieved a trade surplus for six months in succession amply justifies the optimistic tone of his speech in New York? Has he received any intimation from the Leader of the Opposition that he wishes to correct the mischievous, damaging, disparaging and incorrect remarks he made in his coast-to-coast interview on his visit to New York?
§ The Prime MinisterI have always said that we cannot judge trade performance by a single month's figures whether they are good or bad, but it is almost unknown within living memory that we have had a physical surplus on visible trade in this country. The fact that we now have had one for six months suggests that the trend is in the right direction. As for the right hon. Gentleman, I must leave this to him, but even the Conservative Daily Express has as its main headline "Great Great Britain". Even the right hon. Gentleman might decide that his sour-puss philosophy is not right for the country. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear hear."]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Statement by the Minister of Technology on supersonic sound.