§ Q5. Mr. Whiteheadasked the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to Derby.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. WhiteheadI wish to congratulate the Prime Minister about that. It will preserve him for the time being from the wrath of the unemployed there. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the 4,800 unemployed there what he failed to tell me in the recent economic debate: what remedy he has for the problem of structural unemployment which is now affecting thousands of skilled workers in Derby and throughout the Midlands?
§ The Prime MinisterI dealt with that question in some detail in the debate. I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman's constituents would have welcomed the fact that the Government, after tough negotiations with the firm concerned and the American Government, made successful arrangements for the RB211.
§ Mr. RostWhen my right hon. Friend next visits Derby, will he take note of the widespread support expressed there about his successful initiative in getting Britain into Europe, this support having been expressed not only by local industry and those employed in it but by all local Members of Parliament representing both sides of the House?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, and I think it is obvious that some of the major industries in Derby are those which most want a close relationship with members of the Community.
§ Mr. Michael FootIf the Prime Minister is so confident that he has widespread support and full-hearted consent for entry into the Common Market, for which he did not seek a mandate at the last General Election, why does he not refer the matter to the British people for them to give their verdict?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the hon. Gentleman was trying to represent his Leader and Deputy Leader, he might have put forward less outdated arguments and dealt with the present situation.