HC Deb 11 February 1937 vol 320 cc609-10W
Mr. Loftus

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to maintain the monetary policy approved at Ottawa, and reaffirmed by all the delegations of the British Commonwealth on 27th July, 1933, including a rise in the price level to ensure an economic return to producers of primary commodities, the stabilisation of the position thus attained, low rates of interest, and abundance of short-term money;

(2) whether, in view of the fact that the delegations of the British Commonwealth, in their statement of monetary policy made on 27th July, 1933, agreed to assist the rise in wholesale prices until there was evidence that equilibrium had been reached and thereupon to stabilise the position, any steps are being taken to obtain evidence whether the recent rise in prices has approached equilibrium and as to the methods to be used for stabilisation when equilibrium is attained?

Vaccinal condition of recruits passed fit for service.
Numbers for each 1,000 recruits.
Year ended Vaccination Marks. Small-Pox Marks. Neither Vaccination nor Small-Pox Marks.
30th September—
1925 … … … 857.42 .10 142.48
1926 … … … 827.16 8.50 164.34
1927 … … … 801.29 .33 198.38
1928 … … … 775.58 1.92 222.50
1929 … … … 762.67 1.71 235.62
1930 … … … 729.91 — 270.09
1931 … … … 710.34 .02 289.64
1932 … … … 706.68 .47 292.85
1933 … … … 701.85 .11 298.04
1934 … … … 692.82 .10 307.08
1935 … … … 688.10 .03 311.87
1936 … … … 681.01 .07 318.92

Mr. Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for War the total weekly cost, per head, involved in the recent experiment to bring recruits, previously declared unfit, up to military physical standards?

Mr. Chamberlain

The rise in prices which has occurred since 1933 has gone far to restore prosperity in and to increase the purchasing power of countries interested in the production of primary commodities. The policy consistently advocated by the representatives of the members of the British Commonwealth has therefore been justified. I fear that I cannot deal with the numerous other points raised in my hon. Friend's questions beyond saying that the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the price level depends on the state of trade and employment at home and in the rest of the Commonwealth and that they have these matters constantly under review.

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