§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Lord President of the Council what studies have been made of the inflationary effect of a rising population in Great Britain.
§ Mr. PriorI would refer the hon. Member to the study at present being undertaken by the Population Panel which was appointed to assess the available evidence about the significance of population growth in this country. If a rising population has an inflationary effect I have no doubt the panel will refer to this in its report.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Lord President of the Council if he will set up an inter-departmental committee to consider the inflationary effects of a rising population in Great Britain.
§ Mr. PriorNo. An examination of the effects of an increasing population is already in progress by the Population Panel. When the report of the panel is received the question of commissioning any further studies will be carefully considered by the Government.