HC Deb 23 November 1972 vol 846 cc1516-7
Q4. Mr. Skinner

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the coordination between the activities of Government Ministers responsible for Government policy relating to the protection of consumers of all goods and services; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

There is already close and frequent liaison between Departments responsible for different aspects of consumer affairs. My right hon. and learned Friend will be considering in what ways this can be further strengthened.

Mr. Skinner

Will the Prime Minister tell us how he expects to be able to protect the consumers of all goods and services without a second-in-command? Does not he need someone to prop him up? Who will get the job of Deputy Prime Minister? Is it likely to be the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Home Secretary or the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland? Has not the Prime Minister noticed that someone is creeping up on the blind side?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman is even more irrelevant than usual.

Mr. Evelyn King

As every statistical survey shows that food manufacturers and retailers have exceptionally narrow profit margins, will my right hon. Friend accept that whatever other arguments may exist it would be unfair to put the blame on them?

The Prime Minister

I am not sure whether my hon. Friend is referring to the standstill period or to normal times. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is in close touch with the industry. He recently had a meeting with its representatives about their prices and their margins. When we were discussing these matters in the tripartite talks they undertook that cash margins would remain the same.

Mr. Paget

Does the Prime Minister regard the Concorde as goods or services? Does not he find it an odd priority that in this situation we should be asked today for another £100 million for the Concorde?

The Prime Minister

Whether it is goods or services depends on whether one buys it, runs it, or even buys a ticket on it. For the purposes of this House, it is a matter of the further development of the Concorde, which I think is of the utmost importance.