§ 51. Mr. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a means of assisting local authorities, trade and commerce in general and the poorer sections of the population in particular, he will now take steps to reduce the Bank interest rates to those in operation in the time of his predecessor.
§ Mr. Maudling:I cannot give undertakings as to the future course of interest rates. The whole community, including those sections mentioned by the hon. Member, has benefited from the strengthening of the economy to which monetary policy has largely contributed.