§ 17. Mr. Sheldonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has now made of the balance of payments out-turn for the latest available date in 1970.
§ Mr. BarberEstimates for the third quarter will be published early next month, and I do not propose to anticipate them now.
§ Mr. SheldonBut whether or not the right hon. Gentleman gives the figures for the balance of payments outturn for this year, he surely must agree that it is not causing any concern internationally. Therefore, why does he not fulfil his party's promise for economic expansion and go for growth? If the figures we now have do not permit him to go for economic expansion, when will he be so convinced, or is this a matter of leaving it to others?
§ Mr. BarberI look forward to a good surplus on current account this year. So far as our policy for growth is concerned, I touched on this matter in what was necessarily an abbreviated comment at the beginning of my statement last week. I hope that tomorrow in my opening remarks in the debate I shall say something more about this matter.