PRIME MINISTER
(ENGAGEMENTS)
Q1. Mr. Foulkes
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 10 June.
The Prime Minister (Mrs. Margaret Thatcher)
In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be having meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.
Mr. Foulkes
Is the Prime Minister aware that the Secretary of State for Defence failed to satisfy the House yesterday—[Hon. Members: “Nonsense.” ]—on the question of false nuclear alerts? What is she doing to ensure that we do not die through computer error? In the light of the state of the economy, will she check whether the Treasury model is on the same kind of computer?
[column 295]The Prime Minister
I read the exchanges in the House yesterday involving my right hon. Friend Francis Pymthe Secretary of State for Defence. I thought that he dealt very satisfactorily with the questions asked. Of course, both he and I are concerned about these alerts. Naturally we would be, being responsible for nuclear activity here, and we take that responsibility extremely seriously. But as my right hon. Friend pointed out, the action taken was defensive and the mistake was discovered very quickly.
Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
Now that the Camp David agreement has clearly run into the sands, and recalling a number of serious incidents on the West Bank, is it not a good time for the European Community to be putting forward a new approach to the problems of the Middle East that does not ignore the views of the PLO?
The Prime Minister
As a result of a direction at Luxembourg, the Heads of Government and Prime Ministers will be discussing the situation in the Middle East when we meet this weekend in Venice. I am sure that our discussions will take fully into account the two things which are absolutely vital—the need to recognise Israel's right to exist behind secure boundaries, and the need also to recognise the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. The difficulty has always been to get these two things reciprocal and in step. But we shall have our discussions, and if we come to any conclusions, doubtless a communique will be issued.
Mr. Maxton
Has the Prime Minister found time to read the announcement last week to the effect that Weir Pumps, in my constituency, is declaring close to 1,000 people redundant? Does she agree that when a company which has a very good export record, which has invested millions of pounds in the last few years in the redevelopment of the company, and which is increasing productivity, blames the Government's record on inflation, the high level of the pound and high interest rates for its failings it is time that she changed her economic policies?
The Prime Minister
If a company has, unfortunately, to declare redundancies, it is obviously because that company is unable to sell its products in the markets [column 296]of today. [Interruption.] I can only say that many companies are keeping up their export records very well indeed. [Hon. Members: “Where?” ] The figures show it. Forty-four per cent. of our exports go directly to the rest of the European Community, and our largest market is West Germany.
Mr. Hugh Fraser
Referring to the Venice summit and appreciating the Government's dilemma in this matter, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether she will assure the House that neither will impediments be put in the way of the advance in the Camp David process nor will damage be done to Anglo-American relations?
The Prime Minister
It is not our purpose in any way to put any impediments in the way of the Camp David process, in which we wholeheartedly believe and which we hope will succeed, nor to cause any problems between Europe and the United States. It is vital that we do not do so.
GRUNTY FEN
Q2. Mr. Freud
asked the Prime Minister whether she will visit Grunty Fen.
The Prime Minister
I have at present no plans to do so.
Mr. Freud
Is the Prime Minister aware that that will come as a small blow to my constituents? Will the Prime Minister accept that the fear of Grunty Fenmen is that her Ministers have no idea of how, when or even whether the level of wage settlements will be lowered by her policy of monetarism and of restraining the growth of M3? Will she state how much damage will be done to the economy's productive capacity—[Hon. Members: “Reading” ]—before the policy's effect on wages becomes apparent?
The Prime Minister
I am sorry to hear of the worries of the 97 people in Grunty Fen. I had understood that it was a very happy agricultural community, that it had a low rate of unemployment and that it was in many ways contented under a Conservative Government. As regards the hon. Gentleman's statement about monetary policy, if we are to squeeze inflation out of the economy it is vital [column 297]that we print less money. Our policy is directed towards that.
WALES
Q3. Mr. Wigley
asked the Prime Minister if she will state when she next intends to visit Wales.
The Prime Minister
I hope to visit Wales next month.
Mr. Wigley
Will the Prime Minister tell the people of Wales how many people will have to go to prison and on hunger protests—or worse—before her Government will carry out their election commitment, included in the Gracious Speech, to give a television channel to the Welsh language?
The Prime Minister
No one has to go on a hunger protest. Although there has been a certain threat, I hope that no one will do that. When the new channel comes into being there will be more programmes in Welsh. Not all of those programmes will necessarily be on that channel. However, they will be either on that channel or another one.
Mr. Ioan Evans
In view of the massive closures in the steel industry and the possible consequent closure of six to 12 pits, will she confirm—when she comes to Wales—that those areas that had special development area and development area status will have those titles restored? Is not she aware that as a result of the Government's policies there has been a massive increase in unemployment?
The Prime Minister
We have tended to upgrade the status of an area from a development area to a special development area if that area has experienced a major steel closure. We have rightly obtained a good deal of money from the Exchequer in order to assist those areas. I believe that about £15 million has been found for Shotton and £48 million for South Wales.
PRIME MINISTER
(ENGAGEMENTS)
Q4. Mr. Straw
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 10 June.
[column 298]The Prime Minister
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave a few moments ago.
Mr. Straw
Is the Prime Minister aware of the forecast made by the EEC Commission to the effect that Britain's economy will do worse this year than any of its European partners? Is she aware that it is forecast that our economy will decline by 2½ per cent., while the economies of every other European country—bar one—will increase? Is she further aware that that includes the Italian economy and that although its level of inflation is the same as ours, its economy will increase by 3½ per cent.? Does she think that our dismal performance has anything to do with her policies? If not, what will she use as her scapegoat of the month for explaining the failure of her economic policies?
The Prime Minister
We have at least one forecast a day. The options are that we could tax the pay packet more, increase VAT, borrow more—and have even higher interest rates—or print more money. I reject all four of those options.
Mr. Churchill
As thousands of Afghan patriots and civilian villagers are being murdered by the Soviet occupying forces, will my right hon. Friend explain once again to Sir Denis Follows and to the British Olympic Committee that in such circumstances it would be inappropriate for British athletes to go to Moscow to play games with the butchers of Kabul?
The Prime Minister
I would have thought that the action of Soviet troops in Afghanistan speaks more loudly than my words or of those of my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Carringtonthe Foreign Secretary. I sometimes wonder what more the Russians will have to do in Afghanistan by way of atrocities before they convince our Olympic athletes that they should not go to Moscow.
Mr. Foster
When will the Prime Minister take seriously the problems of the long-term unemployed? Does not she realise that there may soon be half a million of such unemployed, and that many of them will be concentrated in areas—such as mine—in the Northern region? When will she bring in a programme that includes training and work experience in order to give those people hope?
[column 299]The Prime Minister
Of course we take seriously the problems of the long- and short-term unemployed. The hon. Gentleman will be fully aware that my right hon. Friend James Priorthe Secretary of State for Employment runs many programmes. He will also be aware that there are many skill-centres and that some of them are not fully occupied. Sometimes people find it difficult to get a job as they are unable to move from one area to another due to housing problems. I hope that those problems will be substantially reduced when the Housing Bill is enacted.
Sir John Eden
Has not my right hon. Friend often made clear that the desired changes and improvements in our economic performance cannot be achieved without causing some temporary difficulties and hardships? Will she therefore resist all blandishments and hold firm to her present policies until they have been seen through to success?
The Prime Minister
I agree with my right hon. Friend. However, I would add that lower pay settlements now will mean lower rates of unemployment later.
Q5. Mr. Sheerman
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 10 June.
The Prime Minister
I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave earlier to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Foulkes).
Mr. Sheerman
Will the Prime Minister spend some time today telling my constituents in Huddersfield and those who live in West Yorkshire what part of the magic formula they have missed? Is not she aware that my constituents and the people of West Yorkshire are hard working, highly skilled, have a history of accepting comparatively low wage rates and that they export most of their products? They do everything right. Why are factories closing and jobs disappearing under her Government? Why is there a hopeless feeling of dismay coming over that area?
The Prime Minister
The hon. Gentleman has neglected one thing. If factories close it is because they are unable to compete with the goods that have been produced by other people who are similarly working in factories. The level of [column 300]productivity in Britain is way below that of other countries. The economic lesson that can be learnt from other countries is that those countries that have high wages and high productivity have done better than those with lower wages and lower productivity.
Mr. Anthony Grant
Further to the supplementary question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford (Mr. Churchill) will my right hon. Friend ensure that every athlete who is so minded to undertake the unwise journey to Moscow is given full Government information about the appalling horrors that occur in Afghanistan every day?
The Prime Minister
I doubt whether we could give that information to every athlete. I hope that all athletes are fully aware of what is going on, and of the consequences of going to Moscow. I hope that they recognise the boost that that would give to the morale of the Soviet Government.
Mr. Strang
Will the Prime Minister take time today to reconsider her attitude to the sale by the NEB of its 50 per cent. stake in Ferranti? Is the right hon. Lady aware that the whole work force is united in its opposition to the sale? Is she further aware that the managing director has written to all Members of Parliament affected and that he has mentioned the threat to jobs? Does the right hon. Lady want this company to be acquired by GEC? Does she want to see its expansion plans for Scotland replaced by a programme of rationalisation and redundancy?
The Prime Minister
The last time I answered questions in the House I believe that I dealt with a similar question. I shall give the same answer. The NEB and the previous Labour Government assisted Ferranti during a very difficult period. Ferranti no longer needs that assistance. The NEB wishes to sell the shares and to obtain the best possible price. It must be free to do that.
Mr. Heddle
Will my right hon. Friend take time today to note that the number of homeless families has continued to increase since the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act was enacted by the previous Labour Government? Does not she agree that the Opposition's dogmatic opposition to the Government's shorthold provision [column 301]is a direct denial of the right of those homeless families to rent?
The Prime Minister
I wholly agree with my hon. Friend. I believe that the shorthold provisions in the present Housing Bill will bring many vacant properties on to the market, and this will help thousands of people to find homes. Another significant provision will give council tenants the right to have lodgers. That will help many young people who are seeking jobs in different areas.
Mr. Guy Barnett
Returning to the reply that the Prime Minister gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield, East (Mr. Sheerman), does she really believe that the number of redundancies and closures that have taken place have nothing whatever to do with the bank rate?
The Prime Minister
If the hon. Member believes that the bank rate has determined the number of redundancies and closures, I do not think that the facts will bear him out. We have had high interest rates and bank rates for nearly a year now. That is far too long to have high interest rates, and I want them to come down as soon as possible. However, the exports of this country have kept up extremely well. Many companies are fighting their way through and increasing productivity. Unless we get that increase in productivity we shall not have healthy industries which are the only basis for expansion.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY DOCUMENTS
(DEBATES)
Mr. Speaker
I have a brief statement to make. On 24 March, the last occasion on which EEC documents were debated, points of order were raised about the non-availability of a certain document that had been referred to, although not actually quoted, by a Minister.
I have given further consideration to this matter and now rule that a Minister a free to quote from an EEC document only if it has been made available in the Vote Office at least two hours before the beginning of the debate.