§ Q7. Mr. Barnettasked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a Minister to be responsible for all economic decisions of his Government.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. BarnettWithout some new Ministers or policies, how will the Prime Minister deal with the problem of inflation? He has ruled out, for example, dealing with it through increasing growth, devaluation and intervention by himself in a prices and incomes policy. What does he propose to do? Will he confirm that the only policy left, and the one which he will pursue, is a further monetary squeeze and raising unemployment to a level which is contrary to everything he said before and during the election?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman is far too intelligent a man to ask a question of that kind.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsWill the Prime Minister tell us whether the reaction of the gilt-edged market and the Stock Ex- 204 change to the package of a fortnight ago, and today, apparently as a reaction to his broadcast last night, the foreign exchange market, has or has not been in accordance with the Government's plans?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman would be better occupied in looking at the longer-term position and the measures being taken to deal with the longer term, which he so signally failed to take, and not in carrying his instant politics into instant economics.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsWill the right hon. Gentleman, as I hope he will, deal with both the long term and the short term, not just one or the other, and consider answering the question?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Mr. Jeremy Thorpe.
§ Mr. MolloyFurther to the point of order which you raised, Mr. Speaker—
§ Mr. SpeakerI have raised no point of order.
§ Mr. MolloyAre you aware, Sir, that the indignation from the Opposition benches is because the Prime Minister continues to find amusing questions on old-age pensions and unemployment? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Indignation will continue from these benches until he is removed.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am aware of indignation and irritation on both sides of the House from time to time. Neither do any good.
§ Mr. ThorpeI must confess that I have never before been regarded as a point of order. Since the Prime Minister has overall responsibility, as Prime Minister, for economic problems, is he aware that the whole House would very much welcome a speech from him on economic questions? Is he aware that if he made a good speech—an experience for once for which we should be grateful—he might even have a good hearing?
§ The Prime MinisterI am grateful for the right hon. Gentleman's invitation to address the House, and I shall certainly accept that invitation when I think it appropriate.