HC Deb 29 June 1971 vol 820 cc200-1
Q4. Mr. Skinner

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Cowes.

The Prime Minister

I have at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Skinner

As a land-based sportsman of somewhat little consequence— [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear!"]—I can understand the Prime Minister's desire to get away from it all. As far as I am concerned, he can sail all week.

Hon. Members

Question !

Mr. Skinner

I am coming to that.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that if he had drifted close to the French coast last weekend he would have seen President Pompidou, with his feet planted on terra firma, gloating about the French farmers and how they will now be able to rape British housewives?

The Prime Minister

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that while we were off the French coast we were not visualising such exciting possibilities. We were confining ourselves to meals of New Zealand cheese.

Mr. Ian Lloyd

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that a number of hon. and right hon. Gentlemen opposite have a lot to learn from the manœuvres at Cowes and that they may learn to come about into the wind and save the nation the squalid spectacle of a gybe all-standing?

The Prime Minister

I was not warned of that nautical manœuvre. All I can comment is that some hon. and right hon. Gentlemen opposite seem to be able to tack all right when they think it suitable.