HC Deb 07 August 1975 vol 897 cc704-5
3. Mr. Adley

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the IMF Committee; what transpired; and when he next intends to meet it.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Denis Healey)

I attended the IMF Interim Committee meeting in Paris in June. On what transpired, I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Cornwall, North (Mr. Pardoe) on 13th June. I propose to attend the IMF Annual Meeting in Washington at the beginning of September.

Mr. Adley

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to show the IMF the reserve powers Bill, if he has not already done so?

Mr. Healey

No, Sir.

Mr. Lane

Before the September meeting, will the right hon. Gentleman put more emphasis on the positive side of the Government's anti-inflation policy—that is, higher productivity and harder work? Will he say a little more about the new industrial strategy which has been mentioned in Press reports in the last day or two?

Mr. Healey

I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has referred to the NEDC meeting which took place yesterday. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry and I discussed with the other members of the NEDC the way in which Government policy is developing in this area, and we shall continue the discussion in the autumn. I agree strongly with the hon. Gentleman that it is important to improve the industrial performance and economic performance of this country. This requires macro-economic measures, to which the instruments in the Industry Bill will make a major contribution.