Companies, inflation and taxation

<p>The title I have chosen for tonight covers an important group of questions, which have been much in the forefront of discussion in recent years. They touch directly on matters in which the Bank has, by necessity, a close and continuing interest. We have a general concern with the health of industry and commerce. Monetary policy and external financial policy-which are the Bank's immediate operational responsibilities-impinge directly on business. And the Bank is closely interested in seeking to ensure that financial institutions provide the support that business requires.</p>