HC Deb 30 March 1971 vol 814 c1353
Q4. Mr. Sillars

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 6th March at Southwold on industrial relations represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Sillars

Does the Prime Minister recall a passage in that speech which demanded action to stop Britain sliding into mediocrity and despair? Does he agree that the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food could make the best contribution to the achievement of the noble aim by resigning?

The Prime Minister

That is a singularly pointless supplementary question. My right hon. Friend's speech dealt with several major issues, particularly the questions of wage-cost inflation and industrial relations. What he said on both of those was absolutely right, and it was a splendid speech.

Mr. Jeffrey Archer

Will my right hon. Friend place a copy of Lord George-Brown's memoirs in the Library, with a special interleaved edition of the memoirs of the Leader of the Opposition, in order that historians may choose what was the policy of the last Government?

Mr. Faulds

Mr. Charity at 8 per cent.

The Prime Minister

I am not sure what an hon. Gentleman opposite is shouting about. If he could restrain himself a little longer he would hear the answer.

I regret that I would not be able to interleave the book until the Leader of the Opposition has published his own memoirs. In any case, the right hon. Gentleman might like to consider presenting Lord George-Brown's book to the Library, provided he could get it autographed.