NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

HC Deb 20 July 1971 vol 821 cc1251-2

Q1. Mr. Sheldon

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to take the Chair at a meeting of the National Economic Development Council.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to a similar Question from the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 15th July.—[Vol. 821, c. 153.]

Mr. Sheldon

When the Prime Minister first meets any of these people will he tell them whether his policy is now one of price restraint or one of competition as a means of reducing inflation? Will he further tell them what he believes the Government have gained as the result of their failure to take any action to cure inflation, stagnation and unemployment over the last 12 months?

The Prime Minister

The answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is, "Both". As to the second part, what the Government have done, unlike their predecessors, is to stand up against excessive wage claims, and this has created a situation in which the C.B.I. has now produced its own voluntary restraint, which the Government are matching and which the managers of the nationalised industries are also voluntarily matching.

Mr. Tapsell

Will my right hon. Friend accept that there is widespread public support for the progress the Government have been achieving towards a voluntary prices and incomes policy ; that the measures announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday make this all the more vital ; and that any section of the community which seeks to frustrate this will be performing a grave national disservice?

The Prime Minister

I absolutely agree with what my hon. Friend said.

Mr. James Hamilton

When the Prime Minister next attends a meeting of the N.E.D.C. will he ask the C.B.I. how it is to control edible imports, because they have a vast impact on food prices, and unless he himself and the Council can deal with food prices, obviously all his exhortations to the C.B.I. will be of no avail?

The Prime Minister

This is a scheme put forward by the C.B.I., which it has worked on with its own members. It is the C.B.I.'s own responsibility.