§ Q6. Dame Irene Wardasked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Secretary of State for Scotland on Clyde-side on 8th March on the allocation of Polaris submarines to Clydeside represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend made no general statement of policy on the occasion to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Dame Irene WardIs my right hon. Friend aware that I am always delighted when the Secretary of State for Scotland goes out to get jobs for Scotland, but is it not rather unfair to the other 1528 interested areas that he should jump the gun on Friday when the Civil Lord of the Admiralty did not make the statement until Monday to the rest of the House and the areas interested in getting Polaris submarines? I do not think that is quite fair to us.
§ The Prime MinisterI think my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland confined himself to expressing the hope that some part of the work might reach Clydeside. I understand that the Admiralty decision which was announced was that while the first two would be built by Vickers the remainder would be built either by Cammell Lairds, of Birkenhead, or Scotts, of Greenock.
§ Mr. WoodburnWould it not have been wise for the Secretary of State for Scotland in such a delicate matter not to make a speech unless he wants to say something?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that it that advice were followed generally it would almost bring our debates to an end.
§ Mr. RossIs the Prime Minister aware that no Scottish hon. Member would ever accuse the Secretary of State for Scotland of saying anything definite about anything? Will the Prime Minister encourage him, for it is about time that he made a statement on what he proposes to do about the unemployment situation in Scotland?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Secretary of State has already made a number of definite announcements on projects which are either authorised or going forward and there will be further announcements which he will make soon.