§ 13. Mr. Dubsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those advanced industrial countries which, compared with a year ago, have a rate of inflation which is (a) increasing faster than that in the United Kingdom and (b) increasing more slowly.
§ Mr. HayhoeInflation in other major industrial countries has decreased compared with a year ago.
§ Mr. DubsIs the Minister not saying that we are the only major advanced industrial country which, on a year ago basis, is showing increasing inflation, and that all our competitors are doing better? Does this not show that, given that getting inflation down is a central plank of the Government's economic policy, on this as on other measures they have failed?
§ Mr. HayhoeNo, it shows that there is no comfort for the Labour party, as all the other countries have rejected the policies that it propounds.
§ Mr. ForthHas my hon. Friend had the opportunity of comparing our economic performance with that of, for example, Socialist France and Spain? What conclusions has he drawn from the remarkable failure of Socialist policies there over the past few years?
§ Mr. HayhoeMy hon. Friend has underlined the point that I made a moment ago.