The Last Conflict 357 There was a long pause as the Prime Minister realised that Lindsay was serious. this your own idea, Chancellor?” he said “Is eventually. been developed between myself and the Treasury,” replied “It’s Lindsay, it’s been dictated by the situation we are in. As I have “but said, there is no alternative.” but I don’t think it’s practical,” said the Prime Minister. “Yes, simply depends on everyone staying at jobs,” said Lindsay “It 'All they need do is continue working and I’m sure people will do it. We’ll maintain industry manufacture, agriculture, transport and every necessary service. Then, when the civil defences are complete, we’ll revert to our normal economic arrangements. We’ve already suspended many payments so the logic nowis to go the whole distance by suspending every use of money and providing for people’s needs as a free public service. What matters most is our survival, and we’ve already seen that people are willing to cooperate.” The Minister listened carefully as Lindsay pressed his arguments, and soon indicated that he was willing to accept them. must admit,” he said, what you suggest could be a way out.” “I “that He turned to Blake. far have we got with the civil defence “How work?” he asked. the point, Prime Minister,” Blake replied, still a “That’s “there’s long way to go and we dare not stop.” The Prime Minister turned next to Bill Charman. about you, ‘What Home Secretary, you haven’t said much?” not just a matter of getting the work completed,” said Bill. “It’s Lindsay has said, morale in the country is high but we should all ‘As be of how quickly this could change. We know from the space probe that we’re up against a tight deadline of danger and we can’t risk another break in the work. We’ve captured the initiative. The Campaign is falling away fast and we don’t want it brought back to life. We’ve got to stay in control, and for that we’ve got to keep up
The Last Conflict 357 There was a long pause as the Prime Minister realised that Lindsay was serious. “Is this your own idea, Chancellor?” he said eventually. “It’s been developed between myself and the Treasury,” replied Lindsay, “but it’s been dictated by the situation we are in. As I have said, there is no alternative.” “Yes, but I don’t think it’s practical,” said the Prime Minister. “It simply depends on everyone staying at jobs,” said Lindsay 'All they need do is continue working and I’m sure people will do it. We’ll maintain industry manufacture, agriculture, transport and every necessary service. Then, when the civil defences are complete, we’ll revert to our normal economic arrangements. We’ve already suspended many payments so the logic nowis to go the whole distance by suspending every use of money and providing for people’s needs as a free public service. What matters most is our survival, and we’ve already seen that people are willing to cooperate.” The Minister listened carefully as Lindsay pressed his arguments, and soon indicated that he was willing to accept them. “I must admit,” he said, “that what you suggest could be a way out.” He turned to Blake. “How far have we got with the civil defence work?” he asked. “That’s the point, Prime Minister,” Blake replied, “there’s still a long way to go and we dare not stop.” The Prime Minister turned next to Bill Charman. ‘What about you, Home Secretary, you haven’t said much?” “It’s not just a matter of getting the work completed,” said Bill. ‘As Lindsay has said, morale in the country is high but we should all be of how quickly this could change. We know from the space probe that we’re up against a tight deadline of danger and we can’t risk another break in the work. We’ve captured the initiative. The Campaign is falling away fast and we don’t want it brought back to life. We’ve got to stay in control, and for that we’ve got to keep up
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