HC Deb 04 May 1971 vol 816 cc1164-6
Q1. Mr. Sheldon

asked the Prime Minister when he will next take the Chair at the National Economic Development Council.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath) rose

—

Mr. Onslow

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker. May I draw your attention to the fact that a week ago the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon) asked my right hon. Friend a virtually identical Question in the following terms: when he next intends to take the chair"— [Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. I think it would be better, if possible, for the hon. Member to raise this point at the end of Question Time.

Mr. Onslow

I am aware that it is possible for me to do so, Mr. Speaker, but when the House is confronted with an abuse of this kind I think it is right to raise the matter during Question Time.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I do not think the hon. Gentleman is on a point of order at all. This Question has been passed by the Table. It must be put.

Mr. Onslow

Further to that point of order. I wish to ask how it is that the Table now seems to be passing identical Questions at intervals which are so close together that there can scarcely be any reasonable supposition that new matter arises which could lead my right hon. Friend to give a different answer.

Mr. Speaker

I shall consider that matter and rule upon it at a future date, if necessary. The Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to an identical Question from the same hon. Gentleman last Tuesday.—[Vol. 816, c. 228–30.]

Mr. Sheldon

But is the Prime Minister aware that he gave no answer on that occasion? When the Prime Minister sees the N.E.D.C., will he take up with it his constant refusal to give details of the maximum figure of unemployment which he is prepared to accept? Is this refusal the result of some doubt which he may have about the nature of the connection between unemployment and inflation, which he confidently asserts on many occasions, or is it because he is not sure at what point in time the Government's nerve will break?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman does me wrong. I replied to his Question a week ago saying: I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 20th April to a similar Question from the hon. Member from Heywood and Royton (Mr. Barnett)."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th April, 1971; Vol. 816, c. 228.] The point about the N.E.D.C. is that the three parties to the Council settle their own agenda and discuss subjects which they think are important at the moment. Tomorrow, when they meet, they will be discussing monetary policy and action taken to combat inflation in other countries. This will allow discussion about unemployment and the means of bringing it down.