§ Q6. Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Prime Minister whether he will pay a further official visit to the city of Leicester.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so, Sir.
§ Mr. JannerIs the Prime Minister aware that more than 800 children are awaiting school places in Leicester, which also has a considerable housing and unemployment problem? Is he also aware of the grave anxiety and anger within the city at the Government's failure to take generous, immediate and long-term steps to enable the city to cope with the current influx of refugees?
§ The Prime MinisterI have myself looked into this matter very carefully because I saw the report in the local newspaper about what the hon. and learned Gentleman said on these matters. I find that Leicester has been generously treated in many ways, and it is eligible for the grants which can be made by the Uganda Resettlement Board. If the hon. and learned Gentleman's point is that Leicester has not so far received the money, I am assured that Leicester has applied for grants for two schemes and grants for one scheme have already been approved, and the resettlement board is ready to arrange payment as soon as Leicester requests it.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the Prime Minister aware that many of us sympathise with his reluctance to visit Leicester as the road traffic conditions there are just as bad as they are in Westminster?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the hon. Gentleman looks carefully at the Question, he will see that it asks me to pay a further official visit to Leicester. I have only just been to Leicester.
§ Mr. FarrIf my right hon. Friend goes to Leicester, on his way there will he call on my constituency and allow me to accompany him round some of our 1100 ancient primary schools which are urgently in need of replacement?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, I am quite prepared to do that. I think, however, that my hon. Friend will acknowledge that the present Government, since coming to office, have given the highest priority in education to the replacement of old primary schools, and we should have the credit for it.
§ Mr. ThorpeSince the Prime Minister cannot go to Leicester and the House is, unfortunately, procedurally not able to learn whether he would have been prepared to go to Uxbridge, will he compromise and either in an unofficial capacity before polling day or in an official capacity after polling day go to Sutton and Cheam to see why a blue chip Tory area has been captured by the Liberals?
§ The Prime MinisterPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman might be wise to wait for a day or two.