§ Q6. Mr. James Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer at Sale on 27th November on reflation represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes not the Prime Minister recognise that the electors are sick and tired of being told by the right hon. Gentleman and his Ministers that the last Administration are to blame for the present high unemployment? After all, the present Government have been in office for 18 months. Will the right hon. Gentleman give some hope to the development areas by indicating that he and his right hon. Friends will change their policies and accord with the wishes of the T.U.C. and the C.B.I. so that we can get to these areas the employment which is so vitally necessary?
§ The Prime MinisterWe had very full discussions with the T.U.C. Economic Council in the early part of the summer. In carrying out his policies, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer implemented a considerable number of the measures which that body suggested to us. Since then, we have had long discussions with the General Council of the T.U.C. and we are examining with the utmost care each of its proposals.
Mr. Bob BrownDoes the Prime Minister accept that, even if a rapid inflation in the national economy took place tomorrow, the development areas have fallen so far behind the rest of the nation that special measures must be taken in them if they are to have any hope of getting back to their former status?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is also true that, until we get increasing growth in the economy as a whole, such regions as Scotland, the North-East and the North-West will not benefit. In addition to the measures which my right hon. Friend has introduced for the economy as a whole, he has also taken special measures for the development areas, including a very large amount of expenditure on the infrastructure.