§ Q3. Mr. Ashleyasked the Prime Minister how many letters he has received asking him to make a Ministerial broadcast on Government policies.
§ The Prime MinisterI have received a number of such letters over the past year. On 8th July I made a Ministerial broadcast on Britain and the European Communities; and on 19th July my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made a Ministerial broadcast on the economy.
§ Mr. AshleyWhile I understand that the Prime Minister's preoccupation with Europe has caused him to shuffle off questions on the economy to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, will he make a broadcast about poverty and admit that the family income supplements scheme is now widely recognised as a disaster? Will he also try to find out why 92 per cent. of the people living in poverty will not touch the Government's proposals at any price?
§ The Prime MinisterMore than 20,000 families will begin to benefit next week, and I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman should suggest that that is a disaster.