§ Q1. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Lord Privy Seal at Manchester on Saturday, 4th April on economic matters represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime Minister (Sir Alec Douglas-Home)My right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Privy Seal did not make any new statement of Government policy in his speech.
§ Mr. WyattThat was a very important announcement, because in that speech the Lord Privy Seal referred—[HON. MEMBERS: "Question."] Is the Prime Minister aware—;to put it as a question to satisfy his baying supporters—that in that speech the Lord Privy Seal referred to an incomes policy? Does he remember that he was a member of the Government two years ago when the Lord Privy Seal initiated the policy of rejecting arbitration agreements? does that mean that the Prime Minister still stands by the Lord Privy Seal in rejecting arbitration agreements?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is very extraordinary what different interpretations can be put on the same speech. I read right through it and on the whole I thought that my right hon. Friend was saying that if a Labour Government came in there would be a terrible economic mess.
§ Mr. GrimondIs the Prime Minister aware that some of us have long been suspicious that there is some collusion between Conservative and Labour Parties in certain matters? Does the right hon. Gentleman pay the hon. Member for Bosworth (Mr. Wyatt) week after week to perform this very unpleasant task of raking up into daylight obscure Government speeches? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the Lord Privy Seal that one of the criticisms which can be made of the Conservative Party is that it is too anxious for perfection?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. As a result of the Questions of the hon. Member for Bosworth (Mr. Wyatt) I have had to read a great many of my colleagues speeches and they have all been very refreshing and very much to the point. I hope that the hon. Member for Bosworth will go on with this exercise because I think it pays.
§ Mr. WyattThe Prime Minister said that there was nothing new in the speech. Will he answer the Question? Does he agree with the Lord Privy Seal that arbitration agreements in principle ought to be rejected?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. My right hon. and learned Friend never said that and I would not have agreed with him if he had. As far as my reading of the speech is concerned, this was part of the speech but not a major part.
Mr. H. WilsonIs the Prime Minister aware that whether the Lord Privy Seal said it or not, he did it? Does he stand by the Lord Privy Seal's action in breaking arbitration agreements?
§ The Prime MinisterI stand by the Lord Privy Seal's actions in all circumstances. He is a valued and respected colleague and he did not say what the hon. Member for Bosworth attributes to him in this Question.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am a little concerned about where we are getting to with this variety of questions, among other things because it would technically oblige the Chair to read all the speeches to find out what the bounds were.