The idea of optimal policy design using an explicit loss function was a natural consequence of the development of econometric models of the macroeconomy. Since the economic theory underlying these was, at first the comparative static Keynesian model the techniques used tended to be static also....

British clearing banks have often been attacked over their provision of industrial finance. Lever and Edwards (1980) and Edwards and Carrington (1979) are among the more recent critics ; in their view the failings of the banks in this area are a major cause of Britain's relative economic...