§ 8. Mr. Eggarasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next intends to meet the Confederation of British Industry to discuss the level of international competitiveness.
§ Mr. BrittanMy right hon. and learned Friend's next planned meeting with representatives of the CBI is at the meeting of the NEDC on Wednesday 2 February, when it is likely that the discussions will touch on competitiveness.
§ Mr. EggarHas my right hon. and learned Friend noted the CBI's Budget representations, which, not surprisingly, urge more assistance to industry? While there may be a case for assistance to specific areas of industry, for example energy intensive industries, surely the overwhelming argument that my right hon. and learned Friend should be considering is the need for more assistance for income tax payers, particularly by raising the threshold?
§ Mr. BrittanI am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving his views on the CBI's representations. A balance has to be made. That will be made by my right hon. and learned Friend in due course when he comes to determine his Budget decisions.
§ Mr. NewensDoes not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the dismal economic climate and the low level of demand brought about by the Government's economic policy has made matters infinitely more difficult for British industry in facing international competition?
§ Mr. BrittanNo. I do not agree. I think quite the reverse. The readiness of the Government to tackle the fundamental and deep-seated problems of the British economy by dealing with inflation and taking action to remove the restraints on industry on the tax side and on the control side is setting in train a situation that will lead us to advance out of recession in far better shape than our competitors.
§ Mr. Charles MorrisonIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that some of us hope that the Chancellor will be able not only to raise thresholds but to help the competitiveness of industry, on which the future good health of the country relies?
§ Mr. BrittanI accept that this, too, is an important consideration to bear in mind in formulating the Budget.
§ Mr. BrittanIt is the hon. Gentleman rather than I who is stuck in a record groove. We stand by the forecast that we made in the autumn statement of a modest improvement in the economy in the course of 1983.