Price Increases (Early Warning Notification)

Oral Answers to Questions — Public Building and Works – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 June 1969.

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Photo of Mr John Biffen Mr John Biffen , Oswestry 12:00, 10 June 1969

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many notifications of price increases he has received under the early warning arrangements since the Budget; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards these increases in the light of the balance of payments policy set out in that Budget.

Photo of Hon. John Silkin Hon. John Silkin , Deptford

Two, Sir. The policy of Her Majesty's Government remains as outlined in my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget Statement.

Photo of Mr John Biffen Mr John Biffen , Oswestry

But even in the modest rôle which the right hon. Gentleman is performing, can he confirm that he accepts sympathetically the argument for the need for price levels which will sustain levels of investment? Has his attention been drawn to the recent speeches of Sir John Reiss and Sir Halford Reddish on this point in respect of the cement industry?

Photo of Hon. John Silkin Hon. John Silkin , Deptford

I am aware of this point, and I think that paragraph 16 of the White Paper on Productivity, Prices and Incomes Policy meets the case.