Bank of England: Monetary Policy Debate

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Department: HM Treasury
Tuesday 19th March 2013

(11 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Newby Portrait Lord Newby
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My Lords, as the noble Lord will be aware, it is Budget Day tomorrow. That is the day on which the Chancellor will re-express the remit for the Monetary Policy Committee. I am afraid the noble Lord will have to wait for 24 hours.

Lord Higgins Portrait Lord Higgins
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Does my noble friend agree that there is sometimes confusion between interest rate policy and monetary policy? Can he say what the Government’s policy is in relation to their own actions and those of the Bank of England as far as the quantity of money is concerned?

Lord Newby Portrait Lord Newby
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My Lords, as I said in my original Answer, operational responsibility for monetary policy is a matter for the independent Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England, not for the Treasury.