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Finance Bill

I do not think that I need respond to my hon. Friend, who has made the point very clearly. I agree with everything that he said. I believe that we are owed a response, because so many serious economists, as well as commentators on the economy of this country and on Government policy, are deeply concerned. We do not want to worsen the recession that we have had, but neither do we want to fall back into it. We must take serious steps to reduce the debt that this country has incurred. We cannot go on living on other people's money. We have got to produce money to reduce our debt, and the budget deficit that, sadly, has been built up by this Labour Government. Through you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I make a plea for those on the Treasury Bench to make a proper and constructive response to what I believe is a very serious question. As my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) said, I came into this House championing manufacturing industry. I go out doing the same because, as I have said before, it is the only source of sustainable non-inflationary economic growth. It can drag this country out of the dire problems that it faces at this time. Please let the people of this country—and me, as I have raised the question—have a sensible and proper response in the wind-up speech.