§ Q8. Mr. Ogdenasked the Prime Minister if he will now seek to acquire a Prime Minister's official residence in the County Palatine of Lancaster.
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend has made an interesting suggestion but I have no plans for increasing the number of official residences.
§ Mr. OgdenWhilst that reply was not entirely unexpected, would my right hon. Friend agree that it was a little conservative? Why should the Prime Minister's guests always be confined to the Home Counties when we have access to the regions of the country in just as short a time as they can get to Chequers? We have hospitality there, and it is a vital region, with road, rail and airport facilities and all the other things necessary. Would he look at this again?
§ The Prime MinisterI certainly endorse what my hon. Friend and neighbour says about the speed of access now between London and Merseyside, not only, I may say, to Knowsley, which is in my constituency. My hon. Friend will be glad to know that I have a permanent booking at the Golden Eagle Hotel, Kirkby.