§ Q8. Mr. Ashtonasked the Prime Minister whether he will specify the respective responsibilities of each of the Ministers in his Administration concerned with the level of spending in the nationalised industries; and whether he is satisfied with the co-ordination between them.
§ The Prime MinisterThe responsibilities of my right hon. Friends are specified in the relevant statutes. There is already close co-ordination between them.
§ Mr. AshtonIs the Prime Minister aware that in June this year the British Steel Corporation in Sheffield announced 4,000 redundancies and that two weeks ago this was changed to 400, for which we are very glad? Will he tell us which Ministry made the announcement in June, which reprieved it, and who was responsible for the change of policy in the meantime?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a matter for the British Steel Corporation. I understand that the change was made after discussions between the British Steel Corporation and the unions. I am glad that the hon. Gentleman is pleased about it.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Question No. 6 to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. LeonardOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Members will have noticed the outrageous fact that Questions from the Opposition outnumber those of the Government supporters by no fewer than seven to one. Will the Prime Minister give us an assurance—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I should prefer points of order about Questions at the end of Question Time. I have called Question No. 6 to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.