HC Deb 10 April 1972 vol 834 cc832-3
10. Mr. John

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the official engagements he has for 10th, 11th and 12th April.

Mr. Peter Thomas

I shall be carrying out a variety of official engagements in London and Wales.

Mr. John

Will not the Secretary of State use his freedom from party commitment and the increased leisure he will get thereby to go to Merthyr and explain to Merthyr electors why a person who is not accounted worthy of being Tory Party Chairman should be worthy of being Secretary of State for Wales?

Mr. Peter Thomas

It is a delight to have from the hon. Gentleman an expression of regret that I am no longer holding the office of party Chairman. I shall be going to Merthyr, I hope, tomorrow night. I shall be going there not officially but to support the splendid Conservative candidate who, I am told, is increasingly getting support from the electorate.

Mr. Michael Roberts

Is the Secretary of State aware that his going to Merthyr will bring great joy to his side of the House because there he will be able to meet the rest of the Parliamentary Labour Party?

Mr. Peter Thomas

It is clear from the absence today of so many hon. and right hon. Gentlemen that they are feeling very concerned about the prospect in Merthyr. Although the Merthyr electorate may not forgive, they may well have forgotten an awful lot of what happened under the Labour Administration.

Mr. George Thomas

Is the Secretary of State aware that I am prepared to give him a shilling if he can save the deposit of his Conservative friend at Merthyr? I think my shilling is quite safe.

Mr. Peter Thomas

I am appalled that the right hon. Gentleman, who is well known for his abhorrence of gambling, should make such a suggestion.

Mr. George Thomas

It is not a gamble; it is a certainty.