§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)On 24th April, Sir.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorDuring the Prime Minister's visit, will he make a special study of the serious effect on Scottish industry of the increase in tax on road users since one observes that during his term of office there have been four increases in petrol tax, two increases in vehicle licence fees and two increases in purchase tax? Will he exhort the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reduce this burden in the Budget?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.
§ Mr. William HamiltonWill my right hon. Friend when he visits Scotland make clear the enormous advances which have been made in the provision of advance factories, the increase in the number of i.d.c.s and the improvement in the net emigration figures, compared with the years of the death throes of the previous Tory Government?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has pointed to the extraordinary contrast in the matter of advance factories, the great improvement in emigration from Scotland both generally and indeed to England and Wales, and, of course, the very big increase in industrial building.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellIf the Prime Minister wishes to help Scotland, which is so dependent on transport, will he cancel his own Government's damaging proposals for imposing an unwanted P.T.A., for taking away decisions and responsibility for Scottish ports from Scotland, and for imposing restrictions—[HON. MEMBERS: "Rubbish!"]—on large lorries and the distances that they can travel by irksome and time-wasting procedures?
§ The Prime MinisterMost of these involve legislation. I leave the hon. Gentleman to the tender mercies of my 588 right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who is more than capable of dealing with him on those matters.