asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that he will not interfere, directly or indirectly, in the operations of the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation, Limited, except in accordance with the authority granted to him by Parliament in respect of financial operations generally.

This Corporation is doing admirable work, and I should only intervene if I could thereby help it to do even better.

With regard to the Chancellor's statement on 1st April that he reserves the right to change any arrangements, will he now agree, upon reflection, that no such right exists?

No, Sir.

Will the Chancellor then say upon what right or authority he relies?

Could we have a smile from the Chancellor of the Exchequer?