asked the Prime Minister what proportion of industry in the United Kingdom it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to allow to remain in private ownership.

As the House will recall, my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council made a full statement on 19th November, 1945, in which he gave a general indication of the further Measures His Majesty's Government proposed to introduce during the life of the present Parliament to bring certain essential services under public ownership. I do not think that there is anything which I can usefully add to that statement.

Is the Prime Minister aware that in Canada the Lord President of the Council stated that the Socialist policy was that 80 per cent. of industry in England should remain under private enterprise, and recently on the Continent Professor Laski stated that 80 per cent.—

I think that the hon. Member is not asking for information but giving it.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the conflicting statements made by leading politicians of the Party opposite, if he would consider making a detailed statement of Government policy in order that industrialists, working people, housewives and the middle classes may know where they stand?

I think that the general public understand perfectly well the statements made in this House, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman would attend to those and not to reports from persons who are not Members of the Government.

Lieut.-Colonel Dower:

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, in order to remove the feeling of uncertainty which is prevalent in the country, which of these industries will not be interfered with, so that they may have confidence to go ahead?

Yes, Sir; and I am sure the hon. and gallant Gentleman will help us so as not to have any disturbance in their minds.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's original answer mean that the Government are uninfluenced by any experience since 1945?

No. Sir.