§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Waltham Forest on 12 November, what is the economic cycle to which he is referring; and to what extent it is affected by Government action.
§ Mr. BrittanThe economic cycle is the term given to recurrent fluctuations from trend in economic activity. Although recurrent, the fluctuations are not completely regular, either in duration or amplitude of movement. The pattern of recent cycles in the United Kingdom as shown by composite indicators, is regularly published inEconomic Trends, the latest occasion being in the November 1981 issue.
The growth of the economy is primarily dependent on individuals and companies in the economy; but the Government have the important task of creating the right conditions for growth.