HC Deb 26 November 1970 vol 807 cc608-9
Q1. Mr. John Fraser

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a Ministerial broadcast early in 1971.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)

I have no plans for making a Ministerial broadcast, Sir.

Mr. Fraser

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the need for him to go on television and to give some straight answers to some straight questions? For example, would he welcome an opportunity to reconcile the pledges in his election manifesto about not putting damaging political pressures on nationalised industries and Ministers not interfering with them with the arbitrary dismissal of Lord Hall and his proposal to sell off profitable parts of the industry? Is that what the right hon. Gentleman meant by "cut price"?

Mr. Heath

I understand that the point to which the hon. Gentleman refers will be debated in the House next week. He had better await that debate.

Mr. Sheldon

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in his Ministerial broadcast, attempt to reconcile the statement of his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry that they were private backers for Rolls-Royce who were providing the £18 million with the announcement in today's Business News of The Times to the effect that the Bank of England is providing £8 million of this £18 million?

Mr. Heath

As I am not proposing to make a Ministerial broadcast, that supplementary question does not arise.