§ 42. Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effects of a 1 per centum change in the rate of inflation on Government expenditure and revenue.
§ Mr. BrittanIt is not possible to provide a quantification of the effects on Government expenditure and revenue without making detailed assumptions about the source of the fall in inflation and how the economy would respond.
§ 50. Mr. Aitkenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of inflation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrittanI refer my hon. Friend to the replies given earlier today to questions from my hon. Friends the Members for Beaconsfield (Mr. Smith) and for Basildon (Mr. Proctor).